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Mogao Grottos to be eroded by sand
www.chinanews.cn 2007-07-13 09:38:55
Chinanews, Lanzhou, July 13 - 2007 is the 100th anniversary of the
discovery of the famous Mogao Grottos in Dunhuang, Gansu Province.
However, not many people know that the grottos will be totally eroded by
sandstorms in no more than 100 years, if nothing is done to protect them.
Mogao Grottos are located 25 km from Dunhuang, at the foot of the Mingsha
(Singing Sand) Hill. The building of the grottos was initiated in the 4th
century, and the project lasted till nearly 1,000 years later, when a
huge group of grottos containing delicate colored Buddha statues and
exquisite murals was brought into existence. The total floor space of the
grottos is some 45,000 sq m. The UNESCO added Mogao Grottos on the World
Cultural Heritage list in 1987.
However, the climate in Dunhuang is dry and windy, and the sand blown
down from the Mingsha Hill poses a great threat to the grottos, not to
mention that some of the grottos are built on sandstones, which will not
survive the erosion of wind and sand in the long run.
Some of the precious murals have already been eroded by sand. "Sand
dunes, wind erosions and sandstorms are the three biggest threats to the
Mogao Grottos," said a researcher from the Institute of Dunhuang.
Statistics show that more than 250 of the 492 grottos with murals and/or
colorful Buddha statues are damaged by erosions.
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