Rescue work at Nara

Mold has spread widely over a ceiling slab removed from the stone chamber of the 1,300-year-old Takamatsuzuka tomb in Asukamura, Nara Prefecture, the Cultural Affairs Agency said.

The mold was detected while the chamber was being dismantled for the restoration of its deteriorated murals, and agency staff quickly tried to treat the affected areas.

From Daily Yomiuri. The beginning of the dismantling work was reported here:

The Cultural Affairs Agency on Tuesday started dismantling the stone chamber of Takamatsuzuka tomb in Asukamura, Nara Prefecture, as part of efforts to repair and preserve its deteriorated murals, which are considered national treasures. . .

The dismantling of the stone chamber and removal of murals, badly damaged by fungi, among other factors, reflects important policy changes at the agency, which has sought to preserve archaeological findings at the site they were discovered.

One of the stone ceiling slabs located at the northern end of the chamber is to be removed Thursday. By the end of June, all of the chamber's 12 stone plates, excluding its four floor plates, will be removed.

The plates have weakened and cracked as a result of being underground for over 1,300 years, raising questions over whether the work will be successful.

Yet another progress report here.

Posted by David on April 6, 2007 6:48 PM