Abstract:In order to determine the types of the conservation materials used for murals in two mausoleums of the Southern Tang Dynasty, we explored the distribution areas of the conservation materials on murals in Qin and Shun Mausoleums using multispectral photography, ascertained the location of the conservation materials from the ultraviolet fluorescence images and analyzed the materials using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The results show that the main conservation materials used for murals in two mausoleums are styrene methyl methacrylate copolymer and polyvinyl acetate, as well as a small amount of polysaccharides, which may be glutinous rice juice used for the calcareous ground layer. This study indicates that the application of multispectral photography to provide clues and those of FTIR and Py-GC/MS to determine compositions compose a reliable analytical method system for tomb mural conservation materials. This system could provide a reference for the identification of conservation materials used for tomb murals, as well as a scientific basis for the evaluation of application effects of conservation materials on tomb murals.