Evaluation And Formation Mechanism Of Surface Contaminants And Stratification On The Rock Paintings Of Huashan Mountain (Guangxi, China)

The Rock Paintings of Huashan Mountain dated back similar to 1620 to similar to 4800 years ago provide clear and definite information on the history of ancient Luoyue people. Investigation shows that a great amount of water drops attached to the rock surface combining with dusts resulted in the formation of mud wrapping layers covering the rock paintings. Yellow thick and dense calcium based stratification on the limestone due to the karst water seepage are very commonly observed as well. Both are main factors that are ascribed to the spallation of the rock painting from the limestones. Combining with on- site and laboratory measurements using SEM with EDS, X- ray diffraction, portable XPS, and stereoscopic microscopy, this work aims to characterize the mud wrappings and dense calcium based stratification on the surface of the rock painting and clarify the underlying mechanisms that cause a large scale spallation on the rock paintings, a phenomenon that has to be resolved or retarded urgently. This work allows the execution of specifically directed conservation strategies and chooses the most appropriate cleaning technique. Especially, it has provided a solid technological support to the restoration project conducted from 2010 to 2013.