The caves, excavated between the 2nd century B.C. and the 7th century A.D. were rediscovered in 1819. The paintings are tempera paintings on walls. A description of how the plaster was prepared, and the medium and pigments used in the drawings is included. The problems of the caves include cleavage between rock, plaster ground and paint layers, darkening and blooming of 1920-22 varnish, accretions of soot, grim and salt. The problem and proposed treatments will be presented later. -- AATA