The Examination and Analysis of Dunhuang and Turfan manuscript materials at Princeton University Library’s East Asian Library

Abstract

Around 1900 a major discovery of early Chinese manuscripts and other archaeological materials occurred in the area of the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang, China, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The vast hoard of materials, which spans from the fourth to the 14th century, provides a rare glimpse of the various cultures that passed along the great Silk Road. The huge mass of materials was dispersed over time to various major research institutions around the world for study. This paper discusses an analytical examination of the seventh to 14th century Dunhuang and Turfan collection held at Princeton University Library's East Asian Library. The study involves an examination of the manuscripts’ fiber composition by polarized light microscopy, Graff C staining, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as the examination of a small unattributed painting on cloth by the same methods and with the addition of x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. A preponderance of ramie (Boehmeria nivea) fibers was found in the collection of manuscript fragments as well as a very small amount of bamboo (Gramineae bambusa). The small painting is made of silk cloth. The pigments on the silk appear to be natural ultramarine (lapis lazuli), malachite (copper carbonate), lead white (basic lead carbonate), and red lead (lead tetroxide).