"Everything is limited by its capacity for survival. In this sense,
protecting cultural relics is actually extending their lifespan.
Under the current conditions, we can preserve Dunhuang for at least
1,000 years," said Fan Jinshi, president of Dunhuang Research
Academy, recently.
Dunhuang, a series of grotto caves with spectacular murals is
indeed a pearl amongst the splendors of the ancient Silk Road route
and a treasure of the Chinese nation. It has a history of over
1,600 years.
Acoording to Fan, the Dunhuang Research Academy takes
"comprehensive protection measures" of Dunhuang, in particular
preventing pollution of the area. The protection covers not only
the cultural relics themselves but also its natural environment.
The Dunhuang Research Academy staff supervise the hydrological and
geological conditions of this area, but also study the paintings
and the condition of the materials on which they are painted.
For example, it has been found that Dunhuang boasts a very arid or
dry climate. However, rainstorms in summer months bring water to
the mountain, which creates a reaction to the salt minerals in the
rocks. This dampness with the salt will eventually erode the murals
in the Mogao Grottoes. Currently, the Dunhuang Research Academy is
in cooperative study with experts from the United States and Japan
on how to prevent the erosion with X diffraction (X-ray) and
infrared technology and what to do about the dampness entering the
grottos.
Dunhuang has an increasing number of tourists each year, Fan said.
In 1979, Dunhuang received about 30,000 visitors, the figure rising
to 200,000 in 2000, and 310,000 in 2002. This large number is
surely to affect the murals over time. Of the 735 caves in
Dunhuang, 492 were found to contain frescos -- the very large ones
exceeding 200 square meters. The middle caves are only 30 to 40
square meters while the smallest one is only several square meters.
As a middle cave receives thousands of visitors a day, the
temperature and humidity will surely improve. However there is no
data currently to show how many visitors a day affect the murals
and how much that influence will be. Last Spring, the Dunhuang
Research Academy set up special equipment in these caves to
investigate and once a conclusion is drawn, tourists will have to
make appointments before their traveling to see Dunhuang.
Fan said that they are planning to establish a "tourist's service
center" to provide a "visual tour" for visitors and tell them the
cultural value of Dunhuang. The program still needs examination and
argumentation from relevant departments.
(China.org.cn translated by Li Jinhui, March 29, 2003)