What’s Wrong with the Murals at the Mogao Grottoes: A Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging Method

A near-infrared hyperspectral imaging method effectively evaluates the degree of flaking in ancient murals at the Mogao Grottoes, offering a non-contact alternative for preservation assessment. Researchers analyzed hyperspectral images from the 126th cave, categorizing mural regions into four flaking levels—normal, slight, moderate, and severe—and training classification models using spectral data. Deep belief networks (DBNs) proved most effective, particularly in handling striping noise, demonstrating the potential of this approach for large-scale conservation efforts at UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sun, M., Zhang, D., Wang, Z., Ren, J., Chai, B., & Sun, J. (2015). What’s Wrong with the Murals at the Mogao Grottoes: A Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging Method. Scientific Reports, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep14371