Ancient rock carvings are considered an important part of the world's cultural heritage. But some of China's oldest and perhaps most precious rock carvings are now on the verge of disappearing forever. In the western part of China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, lack of protection means some carvings, dating back thousands of years, are fading away.

Seventy-year-old herdsman Qin Fuxi arrives to check up on what he calls his treasures. In this shed are the Zhuozishan rock carvings. Qin's job is to open the door whenever there are visitors.

But there haven't been many. Once inside the exhibition hall, Qin dusts his treasures, the world's oldest Neolithic rock carvings. Qin has guarded the relics for more than ten years. But he's feeling increasingly uncertain how much longer he'll be needed.

Qin said, "My job is mainly to stop kids from messing with the carvings. But nothing I do seems to help, because I can't protect them from sulfur or acid. I can only protect them from the ignorant kids."

The carvings are close to coal and lime mines. Pollution from these mines has damaged the environment and acid rain is eroding the carvings at a fast pace.

"When first excavated, they were very distinct. But now they're a bit unclear. If we don't save them now, we'll lose them forever. At this rate, they'll be gone in a few years' time," Qin said.

The carvings were found about three decades ago. They're considered precious not only because they date back 6,000 years, but because of the unique nature of the art work -- human faces, masks, sexual organs and animals. But effective protection is lacking.

A shabby hall is the only shelter for the 1,000 carvings discovered so far -- and it only covers a small fraction of them. Many are left open to the elements. Many others still remain under the ground, for fears of exposing them to erosion. The local cultural heritage authority has a plan to improve protection, but it lacks the money to get it off the ground.

Liang Zhenhua, deputy director of Wuhai City Cultural Relics Bureau, said, "The geographical and topological conditions here make a relics museum a very ideal choice. The carvings need to be protected in a controlled and enclosed environment. We plan to design a museum with scenes from the Neolithic era, to make it a tourist attraction as well as a haven for the carvings."

Having only a small budget, the local relics bureau has taken one step to protect the carvings -- they were covered with a protective coating. But even that is gradually giving way to nature.

When you look at these faded rock carvings, you can feel history running away like sand through your fingers. It wouldn't actually take that much money to protect them -- all it needs is 700,000 US dollars. But without the proper protection, these beautiful remnants will be lost forever along with the era they come from.

(CCTV.com June 2, 2004)