Dunhuang Research Institute is a scientific research unit of Dunhuang studies. It is also a cultural relics unit, protecting cultural relics institutions such as Dunhuang Grottoes (Mogao Grottoes, Yulin Grottoes and the West Thousand Buddha Cave), Maijishan Grottoes, Bingling Temple Grottoes and Qingyang North Grottoes Temple; It is a patriotic education base and a tourist reception unit.
From 65438 to 0944, the National Dunhuang Art Research Institute was established and began to manage and protect the cultural relics in Dunhuang Grottoes. From 65438 to 0949, the National Dunhuang Art Research Institute was renamed Dunhuang Cultural Relics Research Institute, and a protection room (group) was established, and the rescue, restoration and protection of the Mogao Grottoes began. From 65438 to 0984, Dunhuang Cultural Relics Research Institute was expanded to Dunhuang Research Institute, and the protection room was expanded to Dunhuang Research Institute. She is the earliest specialized institution engaged in the protection of grotto cultural relics in China.
In the past 50 years, it has developed into a scientific research entity focusing on the protection of grotto cultural relics, murals, statue restoration and engineering reinforcement. The protection institute consists of environmental research room, analysis research room, restoration technology room, file information reference room, image processing research room and cultural relics protection technology service center; It also owns the Conservation Research Institute of Dunhuang Research Institute, the Getty Institute (GCI) of the United States, the National Institute of Cultural Property in Tokyo, Japan, and the cooperative project research office of Osaka University, Japan.
The research institute has formed a team of protection technology and restoration technology composed of doctors, masters, bachelors, chemistry, physics, engineering geology, computers, forestry, architecture, surveying and mapping, photography, meteorology and other disciplines, with nearly 50 senior, middle and junior titles. It also has a number of advanced analytical and environmental monitoring instruments and equipment, such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier infrared, polarizing microscope and automatic environmental monitoring instrument.