The Epoch Times International: Mold and Air Pollution Damage Terracotta Army

[Guest guest]

(http://www.theepochtimes.com/) Hey, mold can threaten to destroy an

important artifact, but somehow it can't harm humans when found in their homes,

schools and places of work????? Come on! The day will come, and it's coming

soon, that the people in this country will know how special interests have been

manipulating our doctors and courts on the issue of mold illnesses to

protect their own pockets.

Mulvey son

Mold and Air Pollution Damage Terracotta Army

The Epoch Times October 27, 2006

A Belgian scientist found 48 kinds of mold on the Terracotta Army

CHINA—Regarded as one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th

century, the Terracotta Army has been damaged by exposure to outside air and

mold growth since its discovery. Scientists in China and abroad are trying to

find ways to preserve the Terracotta Army from complete deterioration.

According to a report in the Beijing Morning Post, Stoffels, a Belgian

scientist, has found 48 kinds of mold on the Terracotta Army, Penicillin mold

among them. Mold species from Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Trichoderma, and

Cephalosporin genera account for 70 percent of the molds. If not removed, the

molds

may accelerate corrosion of these terracotta figures buried with the Chin

Dynasty's First Emperor in 210–209 B.C.

Currently, the mold is damaging all the terracotta figures in three of the

pits of the museum. The situation in the second pit is more acute.

Dr. Stoffels said that the molds have already led to three changes in

the terracotta soldiers and the surrounding pits: damage to the surface of the

Terracotta Army; pervasive mold-coverage on the walls and the floors; and a

change in the Army's color. Dr. Stoffels predicted that the inner support of

the Terracotta Army could be weakened, which would cause permanent and

irreparable damage to the army.

Besides the deterioration caused by the molds, the Terracotta Army is

gradually weathering from severe air pollution. Thirty years ago, when first

discovered, some of the figures still retained their original colors. After they

were unearthed and exposed to outside air, the color started to fade.

A researcher from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said last July that

without any protection, the Terracotta Army would be severely damaged in 100

years. The researcher predicted that at that time, the tunnels where the

Terracotta Army is located will look like a coal mine and will have completely

lost all aesthetic value.

The Terracotta Army was buried with the Chin Dynasty's First Emperor. The

figures were placed in three separate pits. In February of 1974, a local farmer

found the life-sized human and horse clay figures while digging a well for

water near the imperial burial place. The underground army was unearthed after

more than 2,000 years. A museum was then built on the site.

_Click here to read the original article in Chinese_

(http://epochtimes.com/gb/6/10/18/n1491390.htm)