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Grotto temples in Henan Province, which began in the Northern Wei Dynasty and ended in the Republic of China, have been excavated and repaired to varying degrees in the Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. In this study, 119 grotto temples sited in Henan Province were considered as the research object, and the spatial and temporal distribution of grotto temples in Henan Province is analyzed by using the method of quantitative geographic analysis and ArcGIS 10.5 software. The analysis results indicate that the grrotto temples (including cliff statues) in Henan Province tend to have a cohesive distribution, with uneven regional distribution, mainly concentrated in the western and northern regions of Henan. The distribution direction and center of the grotto temples (including cliff statues) did not change much during the Northern Dynasties, Sui and Tang dynasties, and Song and Yuan dynasties, mainly distributing in the northwest of Henan. However, the situation underwent significant changes and began to migrate to south of Henan, reflecting the changes the changes in the political and cultural center at that time. The spatiotemporal distribution of the cave temples (including cliff statues) was based on the related topography, river systems, stratigraphic lithology, road traffic, and was direct or indirect influenced by the authorities as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Murals of Cave 256, Mogao Grottoes consist of several layers, with the outermost layer overlays all others. The bottom layer was painted in the five dynasties. The outermost layer was mural of the Song Dynasty. Statues were repainted in the Qing Dynasty. We found that different blue pigments are used in multilayer murals which reflects the social development at that time to a certain extent. In order to know the type of blue pigments, technology such as X-ray diffraction, microscopic FTIR spectroscopy and polarizing microscope were used for analysis of trace samples based on non-destructive research through the portable X-ray fluorescence. As a result, we know that Lazurite was used as blue pigment in murals of the Five Dynasties and Azurite was used in the Song Dynasty. Smalt used in statues of the Qing Dynasty was first discovered in Mogao Grottoes. It can be inferred from the discovery of smalt that statues of the Qing Dynasty in Cave 256 were repainted in the first half of the nineteenth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]