The large number of cliff paintings on Helan Mountain with animals, humans and mystical symbols are a historical treasure for the whole world, a specialist said on April 8.

Li Xiangshi, a researcher from Cliff Painting Research Center of Northern Nationality University, who has 40 years of research experience, said that the discovery of cliff paintings on Helan Mountain could date back to the 5th century Northern Wei Dynasty based on the description in Shui Jing Zhu (Commentary on the Waterways Classic) written by Li Daoyuan (470-527).

Historians and researchers have different opinions on the paintings’ origins. Some hold that they were created 10,000 years ago while some say they have a history of just 2000 years. However, more and more people believe that the paintings were created by different nationalities in different historical times.

Li said that the cliff paintings on Helan Mountain created more than 10,000 years ago with hard stone materials or the teeth of certain animals were a means for early humans to represent the world.

It is reported that the number of registered cliff paintings at Helan Mountain is around 20,000. Zhang Jianguo, curator of Yinchuan World Cliff Painting Museum said that the cliff paintings are a cultural phenomenon across the world and mark an early civilization. The Ningxia cliff paintings are an outstanding representation of paintings in northern China, he added.