Table 1 Fragments analysed, samples ID and description

TN1

TN1

Clothing fragment recovered from a basket deposited on the central pedestal of Chapel 1. Modelled with greyish brown clay (Munsell 10YR 6/3) and finished with a thin layer of whitish stucco. Maximum length: 83 × 54 × 48 mm. According to archaeological data, it had been recovered from the stratigraphic remains pertaining to mid-sixth century CE

TN2

TN2-int

Possible halo or niche arcade fragment with incised decoration recovered from a basket placed inside the Chapel 1 above the stone socle of the south wall. According to archaeological data, it had been recovered from the stratigraphic remains pertaining to the to mid-end sixth century CE. Maximum length: 97 × 53 × 39 mm. 3 layers:

-Very pale brown inner layer (Munsell 10YR 7/3) with a lot of vegetal imprints

-Immediately above, a more homogeneous modelled layer of very pale brown colour (Munsell 10YR 7/3)

-Surface layer of remarkable hardness, between 5 and 7 mm thick, of quite homogeneous red colour (Munsell 2.5YR 5/6)

TN2-ext

TN2-nucleus

TN3

TN3

Possible internal body fragment in contact with wooden structure located on Chapel 3 sculpture number 4-north. According to archaeological data belonging to the first or third period of occupation (5^th to early eighth century CE). Made of greyish brown clay (Munsell 10YR 6/3). Maximum length of 89 × 62 × 37 mm

TN4

TN4

Possible clothing fragment deposited in a basket located inside Chapel 4 and archaeologically dated to the end of the 6^th—beginning of the seventh century CE. Maximum size: 84 × 63 × 30 mm. A Single layer of greyish-brown clay (Munsell 10YR 6/3) with a red polychrome finish (Munsell 2.5YR 5/6). Due to its morphological characteristics, it could be a sculptural fragment or a mural decoration in relief

TN6

TN6

Wall fragment (in contact with the back side of the sculptures) of Chapel 4 (end of the 6^th—beginning of the seventh century CE)

TN7

TN7-int

Finger fragment from a basket located in Chapel 5 (mid sixth century) with 3 layers distinguished macroscopically:

–TN7-int light brown clay layer (Munsell 7.5 YR 6/4)

–TN7-ext greyish-brown clay layer (Munsell 10YR 6/3)

–White stucco surface 1 mm thick

TN7-ext

QT1

QT1

Mural sample (finished with blue and ochre): Fragment preserved in a basket in front of the sculpture of the Great Buddha located in Chapel 13 consisting of a single layer based on yellowish greyish brown clay (Munsell 10YR 6/4) with a surface finish made with the same type of clay. On this finish the colours, a few microns thick, are superimposed

QT2

QT2

Clothing fragment preserved in Chapel 13 in the same basket as QT1, placed at the foot of the "Great Buddha" and belonging to its robes. The figure has been archaeologically dated to the middle of the eighth century CE. Maximum length 78 × 40 × 29 mm. From its macroscopic study, 5 layers can be distinguished starting from the exterior:

–Pale red polychrome (Munsell 2.5YR 7/6) of only a few microns

–A layer of high-density white stucco of approximately 1 mm

–Possible presence of fabric (detected in some points by 8 × magnifying glass)

–Lower density and very porous white stucco layer, which tends to separate from the layer immediately below

–The bulk of the fold is based on very pale greyish-brown clay (Munsell 10YR 7/3). This layer preserves in its base numerous traces of having been in contact with a stratum or surface with a high presence of plant additives

QT3

QT3

Sample of north wall of the Chapel 13

QT4

QT4

Toe fragment preserved near the remains of the left foot of a sculpture inside Chapel 6 archaeologically identified as a bodhisattva and dated to the mid-sixth century