Large-scale cultural relics share common characteristics such as immovability, indestructibility, and extreme fragility due to prolonged exposure to natural conditions. Traditional detection methods are constrained by inherent physical limitations, making non-destructive detection a persistent challenge in cultural heritage conservation.The application of natural muon imaging technology in archaeology primarily serves two purposes. First, it enables in-depth exploration of the internal structure distribution of ancient sites without damaging the relics, providing archaeologists with multidimensional information to facilitate subsequent excavation efforts. Second, it helps identify potential safety hazards within the internal structures of historical sites, delivering precise imaging maps and target coordinates for conservation and restoration. Additionally, this technology allows for real-time monitoring of key cultural relics, employing artificial intelligence to predict potential risks, thereby achieving digital and intelligent health monitoring of heritage artifacts.

Yungang Grottoes

The Yungang Grottoes were excavated during the Northern Wei Dynasty (398 AD) and are one of the four most famous grottoes in China. There are currently 45 main caves, 252 niches of various sizes, and over 59000 stone sculptures, which are treasures of Chinese cave art. In 2001, the Yungang Grottoes were listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO.

The Yungang Grottoes, like many ancient sites, face the responsibility of protection. The erosion of rainwater and groundwater, as well as human activities, have exacerbated the weathering of the grottoes. Finding hidden disease structures or water seepage channels inside the grottoes is crucial for their protection. Due to the enormous size of grotto temples, accurately detecting their internal structure is extremely challenging.

At the end of 2023, the team will collaborate with Tencent and Yungang Grottoes Research Institute to conduct 3D density imaging of some key grottoes in Yungang using Muzi imaging technology, with the help of Tencent's Tanyuan Program. The final team reconstructed the low-density city wall of Yungangbao located above Caves 8 and 9, and discovered the ruins of repairs on the exterior facades of Caves 7 and 8, as well as the high-density foundation below Yungangbao.