Pollution threat to terracotta army

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Pollution threat to terracotta army

Threatened by the modern world

China's 2,000-year-old terracotta army is under threat from pollution,

caused largely by tourists.

The spectacular army of some 7,000 pottery warriors is suffering from " nine

different kinds of mould " according to environmental experts quoted in the

China Daily on Tuesday.

Chinese monuments expert Whitfield on why the figures are vulnerable

The damage is being caused by raised temperatures and humidity in the

building which houses the soldiers. Tourists' breath is largely responsible.

The figures were buried in an underground mausoleum near the northern city

of Xian in the Third Century BC to protect the tomb of China's first emperor

Qin Shihuang.

The terrracotta army has had some famous visitors

Since they were discovered in 1974 by peasants digging a well, the figures

have become one of China's most popular tourist attractions.

Huang Kezhong, the deputy head of China's Institute of Cultural Property,

says the damage caused by the thousands of daily visitors just one example

of the threat posed by pollution to historical artefacts and sites.

Tourism and pollution

" Few tourists are aware that they also have become a source of pollution, "

Mr Huang said.

He has called for urgent action to protect China's cultural heritage from

further damage.

Mr Huang said acid rain and air pollution caused by burning coal has

corroded bronze and marble artefacts and damaged frescoes and sculptures

throughout the country.

He cited the corrosion of ancient bronze astronomical equipment in the

eastern city of Nanjing and Song Dynasty (960-1279) tombs in Henan province.

Air pollution in China is particularly bad because the widespread burning of

low-grade coal produces sulphur dioxide and other pollutants.

It is forecast that the situation will worsen over the next 30 years as

economic growth continues and poorly regulated local enterprises take over

from state-controlled firms.