Silk Road Murals: Climate change threatens Gansu’s Dunhuang cave temples’ Silk Road murals and statues. These delicate artworks have survived wars, earthquakes, sandstorms, and vandalism since the 4th century. Climate change-induced extreme rainfall in the desert threatens these priceless treasures.
Greenpeace released a report highlighting the dire situation of these cultural treasures, especially the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mogao Caves. Over the past two decades, Gansu has seen a rise in total rainfall but a decrease in rainy days. Thus, intense downpours have increased, damaging cave temples and their ancient artifacts.
Greenpeace East Asia’s Beijing senior researcher Li Zhao expressed concern over the desert’s acute risks from increased rainfall. Humidity spikes, flash floods, and cave-ins have begun. The artworks deteriorate as temperatures rise above the global average.
Some cave murals, like the Mogao Grotto, are already deteriorating. Rising humidity has caused salt crystallization and peeling of the murals. Rainwater leaks have eroded the paintings, and flash floods and mudslides have collapsed caves.
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Li stressed that precious artifacts could disappear before China’s fourth nationwide cultural heritage survey is completed. Climate change hurts these sites, even well-funded and staffed ones like Dunhuang. Dunhuang has long-term monitoring data, but other Chinese sites face similar risks.
In October 2021, heavy rains and flooding in Shanxi destroyed the Jinci Temple and Tianlongshan grottoes, both national heritage sites. This natural disaster damaged 1,783 cultural relic sites, highlighting the need for protection and proactive monitoring.
Chinese officials and academics are increasingly acknowledging the threats the climate crisis poses to cultural heritage sites, but concrete actions to mitigate these risks are still in the early stages. Thanks to international cooperation projects, the Dunhuang Academy has decades of data on cave temperature, humidity, and wind speed.
Many historical sites lack such extensive data, and monitoring efforts have only begun recently. To better understand and preserve these priceless cultural treasures, China must expand monitoring and research.
Climate change threatens China’s Silk Road murals and statues. Protecting these important artifacts is crucial. With extensive research, improved monitoring, and proactive measures, China can protect its cultural heritage from climate change for future generations.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What art was found on the Silk Road?
The art of the Silk Road goes beyond just sculptures and paintings. It also includes textiles, ceramics, metalwork, and glass, as well as a whole range of fancy techniques used to make beautiful and useful objects.
How is the Silk Road settlement depicted in this mural?
What is the portrayal of this Silk Road settlement in the mural? The settlement appears expansive, divided into sections, with virtually every building featuring a courtyard.
What was the Silk Road and what was its influence on art across its expanse?
Numerous artistic influences traveled through the Silk Road, particularly in Central Asia. This is where Hellenistic, Iranian, Indian, and Chinese cultures came together. The Greco-Buddhist art is a prime example of this blending of influences.
What are some artifacts from the Silk Road?
The British Museum houses an impressive array of artefacts from the Silk Roads, including over 500 paintings, paper items, and textiles (both whole pieces and fragments), along with 30 woodblock prints and two small wooden figurines. Among the collection, one standout is an 8th-century embroidery that towers nearly two and a half meters in height.