Restoration work on richly colored murals in a tomb that dates back some 13 centuries has finally been completed after more than a decade, the Cultural Affairs Agency announced Thursday. The agency released an image of the historic artwork to the public.
The "Asuka Bijin" (Asuka beauties) and other murals, designated as national treasures, adorned the walls of the Takamatsuzaka tomb, which is located in the village of Asuka in Nara Prefecture. The historic tomb is believed to have been built between the late seventh and early eighth centuries.
The agency is planning to build a facility near the tomb to store the murals, and will hold an exploratory meeting to discuss such issues as methods for preserving and displaying the artwork.
The murals, which include depictions of beautiful women, were discovered in 1972, leading to a surge of interest in ancient history. But in 2004, the murals were found to be in a state of deterioration, as a lack of effective management had led to an outbreak of mold and dark stains.
In 2007, the agency dismantled the tomb's chamber and transferred the stone slabs on which the murals were painted to a restoration facility in Asuka. The restoration work was originally slated to be completed by March 2018, but was extended for two years. In all, it took about 12 years.
The mold was eliminated by ultraviolet light, and the plaster on the damaged surface was reinforced with chemicals and glue. However, the deterioration was so advanced that it was not possible to restore the original vividness from when the murals were first discovered.
Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Archeology director Seigo Wada, who is the chairman of the Cultural Affairs Agency committee that reviews methods for restoring and preserving the murals, had a positive outlook.
"The grime has been eliminated, and the stone walls on which the murals were painted are in stable condition," he said. "Under the condition that there is no further deterioration, we will have deep discussions on the best way of presenting them to the public."
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