24th Day

Some progress on the reconstruction of the destroyed caves at the bottom of the Small Buddha niche. The red siltstone material seems suitable to be used as buiduing up the destroyed cave walls. The results of a first test are convincing. It becomes also clear that conglomerate pieces in this area of the cliff are not suitable for beeing used without prior solidification. Also the best composition of mortar for the stones has to be studied more carefully. I tried some different composition of lime and sand/silt from the site. Although the colouring achieved is convincing the mortar strength has to be improved. As the stone material (silt) does not resist at all to water (the surface dissolves immediately and cracks down completely) any mortar has to be as dry as possible in order not to harm the stone material.