GO TO SOURCE


AGRA, INDIA, December 8, 2002: The world famous 17-century Taj Mahal received a face-lift. Exposure to industrial pollution had left the marble Mogul tomb stained with black and yellow impurities. Wanting to restore the monument to its original splendor, archaeologists discovered that a mud-pack was used in the 16-century to restore Indian buildings. Using the formula as described in the 16-century Mogul journal, Ain-I-Akbary, the archaeologists combined soil, cereal, milk and lime to recreate the ancient recipe, the same ingredients once used by Indian women to beautify their skin. In any case, the results were astonishing. The Taj Mahal marble is now gleaming white. The mixture has been used to clean the interior, the gateway, and the four surrounding minarets. News of the mud-pack formula has been far-reaching. Scientists from Rome have traveled to Agra to observe the process and they have returned home to treat marble statues in Rome and Florence. The mud, brushed on in layers until it is an inch deep, draws out the polluting sulfates and carbonates. After 24 hours, the mud is washed off with warm water.

Post Views: 194