Moisture adsorption-desorption tests (MATs) were conducted on simulated mural plaster specimens under different air temperatures (ATs) and relative humidity (RH) to investigate the possible effect of seasonal alterati...Moisture adsorption-desorption tests (MATs) were conducted on simulated mural plaster specimens under different air temperatures (ATs) and relative humidity (RH) to investigate the possible effect of seasonal alteration and visitors’ breath on the deterioration of Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang, China. Saturated salt solutions were used to maintain a constant RH, and plant growth cabinets were used to maintain a constant or varying temperature in the simulation test. The weight of specimen was periodically measured to determine the adsorbed or desorbed moisture. Test data illustrate that the desorption process is far quicker than the adsorption one, indicating that it is possible to inhibit the disadvantage effect from visitors, such as shortening the staying time in caves. In case of high humidity, an accumulated moisture adsorption was found to correspond to the varying temperature. On the other hand, in case of low humidity, accumulated moisture desorption corresponded. Test data imply that opening caves more often to visitors in humid seasons should be avoided so as to prevent continuous wetting of wall paintings.展开更多
Purpose： This study is a user evaluation on the usability of the Mogao Cave Panorama Digital Library （DL）, aiming to measure its effectiveness from the users＇ perspective and to propose suggestions for improvement...Purpose： This study is a user evaluation on the usability of the Mogao Cave Panorama Digital Library （DL）, aiming to measure its effectiveness from the users＇ perspective and to propose suggestions for improvement. Design/methodology/approach： Usability tests were conducted based on a framework of evaluation criteria and a set of information seeking tasks designed for the Dunhuang cultural heritage, and interviews were conducted for soliciting in-depth opinions from participants. Findings： The results of the usability tests indicate that the DL was more efficient in supporting simple information seeking tasks than those of higher-complexity levels. Statistical tests reveal that there were correlations among dimensions of usability criteria and user effectiveness measures. Moreover, interview discourses exposed specific usability issues of the DL. Research limitations： This research is based on a relatively small sample size, resulting in a limited representativeness of user diversity. A larger sample size is needed for a systematic cross group comparison. Practical implications： This study evaluated the usability of the Mogao Cave Panorama DL and proposed suggestions for its improvement for better experience. The results also provide a reference to other cultural heritage DLs with panorama functions. Originality/value： This study is one of the first evaluating cultural heritage DLs from the perspective of user experience. It provides methodological references for relevant studies： the evaluation framework, the designed information seeking tasks, and the interview questions can be adopted or adapted in evaluating other visually centric DLs of cultural heritage.展开更多
A V-shaped nylon net fence installed in 1990 on top of the Mogao Grottoes is shown to be effectively resisting aeolian sand damage to the grottoes. The structure guides and causes deposition of sand from westerly wind...A V-shaped nylon net fence installed in 1990 on top of the Mogao Grottoes is shown to be effectively resisting aeolian sand damage to the grottoes. The structure guides and causes deposition of sand from westerly wind （the primary hard wind）, but to some extent hinders the inverse function of easterly wind carrying sand away from the grottoes toward Mount Mingsha. The gobi side by the fence experiences higher wind speed, so that on which are easily formed undercutting pits, and the deposited sands on it generally form double-peak structures due to abundant sand sources. If the earth surface characteristics in gobi areas by both sides of the fence are quite varied, the erosion and deposition features of the accumulating sand section are similar in different seasons; however, if the earth surface characteristics are similar, the features become irregular in different seasons. Sand depositions with long slope feet are formed along the south and north sides of V-shaped nylon net fence. Disrupted by strong westerly wind and northwesterly wind, sand accumulations by north of the fence are in form of single peaks. Although the operation duration of the V-shaped nylon net fence has exceeded its design life （10 years）, our observations indicate that it is still effective in reducing wind-driven sand damages to the Mogao Grottoes, so it should not be withdrawn.展开更多
This paper investigates a unique and interesting archaeological case,namely the newly found inscription copied from Qianzi Wen(The Thousand Character Essay)on the south wall in the main chamber of Mogao cave 9,and ana...This paper investigates a unique and interesting archaeological case,namely the newly found inscription copied from Qianzi Wen(The Thousand Character Essay)on the south wall in the main chamber of Mogao cave 9,and analyzes a series of research topics related to the inscription,hoping to thoroughly reveal the historical and cultural phenomenon of the high popularity and extensive spread of Qianzi Wen in the Tang dynasty,and attempt to restore some living scenes of ancient school students and cave-making artisans.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first time to find Qianzi Wen on the wall in Mogao caves.展开更多
During A.D. 776 to 848, Dunhuang was occupied and ruled by Tubo political power, a special painting style, spread via the Tibetan silk road, appeared at same time, and which is related to the art style of India and Ne...During A.D. 776 to 848, Dunhuang was occupied and ruled by Tubo political power, a special painting style, spread via the Tibetan silk road, appeared at same time, and which is related to the art style of India and Nepal; It is worth noting that the Tibetan painting style during this period have no relative unified model actually, especially the mural and the silk painting preserved in Library Cave, the painting style of which had obvious difference between each other, and the reason behind this is very hard to explain. Until the late Tang Dynasty （A.D. 848-907）, sheer Pala style of eastern India appeared in Dunhuang, however, whether those East India painting style still belong to Tubo remain for further discussion. The art style of East India appeared in Dunhuang during from the late Tang Dynasty to the early period of Northern Song Dynasty, probably propagated from the ways other than Tubo, and this art style was deemed as the one has nothing to do with Tibet＇s art in this study.展开更多
Listed as a World Heritage Site in 1987 Location： Dunhuang City, 6ansu Province, northwest China Best Time to Visit： Anytime, but autumn is the peak tourist season
Analysis on sand drift damages to the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes showed that the actual sand drift hazards in the area are mainly attributed to the gobi wind-sand stream formed by sand coming from the Mingsha Mountain (m...Analysis on sand drift damages to the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes showed that the actual sand drift hazards in the area are mainly attributed to the gobi wind-sand stream formed by sand coming from the Mingsha Mountain (megadune), while the migration of the megadune and its frontal edge dunes is actually not a major threat to the grottoes. The gobi belt on the cliff top of the Mogao Grottoes is not only a natural sand transport field but also a natural protective screen which prevents the megadune and its frontal edge dunes from advancing towards the grottoes or burying the grottoes. Therefore efforts to protect the Mogao Grottoes should be focussed on halting the gobi wind-sand stream rather than on checking the migration of sand dunes. For this reason, effective sand blockade and stabilization measures should be adopted at the frontal edge of the megadune but no sand retarding works are allowed to be set up in the gobi belt so as to avoid sand accumulation and entering the grottoes.展开更多
AS the 20th century approached, a Taoist discovered a cave on the desolate Gobi in Northwest China. Within this cave were hidden more than 40,000 pieces of Buddhist scripture, embroideries, paintings and books on vari...AS the 20th century approached, a Taoist discovered a cave on the desolate Gobi in Northwest China. Within this cave were hidden more than 40,000 pieces of Buddhist scripture, embroideries, paintings and books on various subjects, such as religion, history,展开更多
基金Project supported by the National Key Technology R&D Program during the 11th Five-Year Plan of China (No. 2006BAK30B02)the China National Engineering Research Center for Conservation of Ancient Wall Paintings Program (No. 200806)
文摘Moisture adsorption-desorption tests (MATs) were conducted on simulated mural plaster specimens under different air temperatures (ATs) and relative humidity (RH) to investigate the possible effect of seasonal alteration and visitors’ breath on the deterioration of Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang, China. Saturated salt solutions were used to maintain a constant RH, and plant growth cabinets were used to maintain a constant or varying temperature in the simulation test. The weight of specimen was periodically measured to determine the adsorbed or desorbed moisture. Test data illustrate that the desorption process is far quicker than the adsorption one, indicating that it is possible to inhibit the disadvantage effect from visitors, such as shortening the staying time in caves. In case of high humidity, an accumulated moisture adsorption was found to correspond to the varying temperature. On the other hand, in case of low humidity, accumulated moisture desorption corresponded. Test data imply that opening caves more often to visitors in humid seasons should be avoided so as to prevent continuous wetting of wall paintings.
基金partially supported by Key Technologies Research and Development Program of China,for the project titled "Metadata Standard for Cultural Relics Digital Preservation" (project No.: 2014BAK07B02)
文摘Purpose： This study is a user evaluation on the usability of the Mogao Cave Panorama Digital Library （DL）, aiming to measure its effectiveness from the users＇ perspective and to propose suggestions for improvement. Design/methodology/approach： Usability tests were conducted based on a framework of evaluation criteria and a set of information seeking tasks designed for the Dunhuang cultural heritage, and interviews were conducted for soliciting in-depth opinions from participants. Findings： The results of the usability tests indicate that the DL was more efficient in supporting simple information seeking tasks than those of higher-complexity levels. Statistical tests reveal that there were correlations among dimensions of usability criteria and user effectiveness measures. Moreover, interview discourses exposed specific usability issues of the DL. Research limitations： This research is based on a relatively small sample size, resulting in a limited representativeness of user diversity. A larger sample size is needed for a systematic cross group comparison. Practical implications： This study evaluated the usability of the Mogao Cave Panorama DL and proposed suggestions for its improvement for better experience. The results also provide a reference to other cultural heritage DLs with panorama functions. Originality/value： This study is one of the first evaluating cultural heritage DLs from the perspective of user experience. It provides methodological references for relevant studies： the evaluation framework, the designed information seeking tasks, and the interview questions can be adopted or adapted in evaluating other visually centric DLs of cultural heritage.
基金supported jointly by the National Science and Technology Support Program (2012BAC08B07)the Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 2009BAC54B01-1 and 40930741)the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZCX2-EW-313)
文摘A V-shaped nylon net fence installed in 1990 on top of the Mogao Grottoes is shown to be effectively resisting aeolian sand damage to the grottoes. The structure guides and causes deposition of sand from westerly wind （the primary hard wind）, but to some extent hinders the inverse function of easterly wind carrying sand away from the grottoes toward Mount Mingsha. The gobi side by the fence experiences higher wind speed, so that on which are easily formed undercutting pits, and the deposited sands on it generally form double-peak structures due to abundant sand sources. If the earth surface characteristics in gobi areas by both sides of the fence are quite varied, the erosion and deposition features of the accumulating sand section are similar in different seasons; however, if the earth surface characteristics are similar, the features become irregular in different seasons. Sand depositions with long slope feet are formed along the south and north sides of V-shaped nylon net fence. Disrupted by strong westerly wind and northwesterly wind, sand accumulations by north of the fence are in form of single peaks. Although the operation duration of the V-shaped nylon net fence has exceeded its design life （10 years）, our observations indicate that it is still effective in reducing wind-driven sand damages to the Mogao Grottoes, so it should not be withdrawn.
基金This study was part of“The Investigation and Research of the Inscriptions Left by Visitors in the Past dynasties in Dunhuang Caves”supported by the Western Program of National Social and Scientific Fund(18XKG008).
文摘This paper investigates a unique and interesting archaeological case,namely the newly found inscription copied from Qianzi Wen(The Thousand Character Essay)on the south wall in the main chamber of Mogao cave 9,and analyzes a series of research topics related to the inscription,hoping to thoroughly reveal the historical and cultural phenomenon of the high popularity and extensive spread of Qianzi Wen in the Tang dynasty,and attempt to restore some living scenes of ancient school students and cave-making artisans.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first time to find Qianzi Wen on the wall in Mogao caves.
文摘During A.D. 776 to 848, Dunhuang was occupied and ruled by Tubo political power, a special painting style, spread via the Tibetan silk road, appeared at same time, and which is related to the art style of India and Nepal; It is worth noting that the Tibetan painting style during this period have no relative unified model actually, especially the mural and the silk painting preserved in Library Cave, the painting style of which had obvious difference between each other, and the reason behind this is very hard to explain. Until the late Tang Dynasty （A.D. 848-907）, sheer Pala style of eastern India appeared in Dunhuang, however, whether those East India painting style still belong to Tubo remain for further discussion. The art style of East India appeared in Dunhuang during from the late Tang Dynasty to the early period of Northern Song Dynasty, probably propagated from the ways other than Tubo, and this art style was deemed as the one has nothing to do with Tibet＇s art in this study.
文摘Listed as a World Heritage Site in 1987 Location： Dunhuang City, 6ansu Province, northwest China Best Time to Visit： Anytime, but autumn is the peak tourist season
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘Analysis on sand drift damages to the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes showed that the actual sand drift hazards in the area are mainly attributed to the gobi wind-sand stream formed by sand coming from the Mingsha Mountain (megadune), while the migration of the megadune and its frontal edge dunes is actually not a major threat to the grottoes. The gobi belt on the cliff top of the Mogao Grottoes is not only a natural sand transport field but also a natural protective screen which prevents the megadune and its frontal edge dunes from advancing towards the grottoes or burying the grottoes. Therefore efforts to protect the Mogao Grottoes should be focussed on halting the gobi wind-sand stream rather than on checking the migration of sand dunes. For this reason, effective sand blockade and stabilization measures should be adopted at the frontal edge of the megadune but no sand retarding works are allowed to be set up in the gobi belt so as to avoid sand accumulation and entering the grottoes.
文摘AS the 20th century approached, a Taoist discovered a cave on the desolate Gobi in Northwest China. Within this cave were hidden more than 40,000 pieces of Buddhist scripture, embroideries, paintings and books on various subjects, such as religion, history,
