Microorganism Distribution and Preservation Status of Mural Paintings in the Goguryeo Tombs in North Korea

Abstract

The ancient Goguryeo tombs are spread throughout North Korea and China. The Goguryeo Kingdom was one of the most powerful Korean kingdoms that occupied half of Northeast China and the Korea n Peninsula from the 3rd century BC to the 7th century AD. In 2004, a t the 28<sup>th</sup> session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Suzhou, China, 63 of these tombs were designated as World Heritage Sites. Previously, international organizations such as UNESCO, ICCROM, and ICOMOS provided technical and expert training support for the conservation and management of such tombs. In 1998, at the request of North Korea, a series of investigations and conservation activities began on the tomb murals, and in 2000, international experts began investigating the scientific preservation status of the Yaksu‑ri tomb murals with the South Korean government’s assistance of $100,000 provided to UNESCO. From July 19<sup>th</sup> to 30<sup>th</sup>, 2005, the Goguryeo Relics North‑South Korea Joint Investigation Team, consisting of members of the Goguryeo Research Foundation in South Korea and the North Korean Academy of Social Sciences and Cultural Conservation Guidance, conducted its first joint investigation of the ruins since the two countries were divided. The 2006 Inter‑Korean Joint Goguryeo Mural Tomb Preservation Survey was the first time that South Korean conservation experts participated in scientifically investigating the preservation status and environment of mural tombs and mural pigment analysis. This was to secure comprehensive data on eight tombs. In 2007, additional support for the installation of the necessary measurement equipment was provided to continuously monitor the environments of the ancient tombs. Subsequently, no additional inter‑Korean joint investigation and research has been conducted. To provide scientific information on the distribution of microorganisms in the mural paintings of the tombs and to help establish a future joint preservation plan this study summarizes and reports on the “examination of a biological and environmental survey of the Goguryeo tomb mural paintings” from the results of the 2006 Inter-Korean Joint Goguryeo Mural Conservation Survey Report, jointly published by the Inter-Korean Historians Association and the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, which has not previously been presented at academic conferences.