Stone tablets, on which the history of ancient civilization was recorded, have been used in modern times by some herdsmen and peasants in Inner Mongolia to build stalls and pigsties. "That is certainly not a correct use for such historic relics," a well-known specialist on such carvings bitterly said to a reporter.
China is not only the country with great amount of cliff painting, but it is also one of the countries in which such stone carvings were first found. There is a long strip of land stretching from east to west in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region that contains many of these carvings. These are mainly found in the Yin Shan Mountain, Ba Dan JI Lin Desert and Wulanchabu Pasture area.
Up to now, 50,000 such paintings have been found in the region. It is estimated that the number could eventually rise to 100,000. According to Gai Shanlin, a specialist of the Inner Mongolia Archeology Research Institute, from early Neolithic times through the dynasties of Yuan, Ming, and Qing, predecessors of the northern people continuously engraved such stones to record their living conditions, reproduction, economic activities, natural conditions and social customs. These carved stones are thus precious materials for the study of the history of the ancient nomadic peoples in China. Some of the research by Inner Mongolia scholars has been frequently quoted by European scholars.
However, the cliff paintings are obviously facing extinction. The fact that most of them in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are widely scattered in remote areas makes their protection quite difficult. Based on information received from various Inner Mongolia relic offices, the stone paintings are presently undergoing much damage. The Xia Ma La Da carvings, located in Baotou city, Damao County, date back to the Bronze Age, and were all damaged when they were found. There were 40-plus pieces in all.
Over 200 spots of cliff paintings, found in Cha Gan Ao Bao village 45 kilometers northwest of Da Mao Qi Bai Ling town, have been mostly damaged.
It is realized that the wind erosion and especially human activities have mainly contributed to damage of the carvings. Investigations show that mining has posed serious damage to the Yin Shan carvings. It is thus believed that the precious relics of historical importance will gradually disappear unless some effective protection measures are soon taken.
Therefore, Gai Shanlin, vice chairman of the Inner Mongolia People’s Political Consultative Conference, put forward a proposal to register the relics of Inner Mongolia in the World Natural Heritage listing, sponsored by UNESCO.
The proposal has resulted in a written reply from the related offices. "But we haven't heard that the concerned offices have approved it," Gai Shanlin said worriedly. "Presently, the pressing task is to protect and manage some key areas where the precious cliff paintings were found."
(Chinese Youth Daily)
