In the aftermath of the recent 6.2-magnitude earthquake in Jishishan county, Gansu Province, China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) has taken swift action to restore damaged cultural relics in Gansu and neighboring Qinghai Province. The quake, which occurred near the border of the two provinces, caused notable damage to a range of cultural heritage sites, prompting the NCHA to allocate emergency funds for their restoration.
Extent of Damage to Cultural Heritage
In Gansu, 24 significant immovable cultural relics have suffered various degrees of damage, including cracks in walls, fallen bricks, and displaced tiles. Fortunately, no collapses have been reported, mitigating the extent of the destruction. Qinghai’s renowned Lajia Ruins, known as the “Eastern Pompeii,” have also been impacted, with ongoing assessments to determine the full extent of the damage. Preliminary reports indicate that over half of the artifacts at the Lajia Ruins Museum, including pottery, jade items, and bone artifacts, have sustained damage.
Revisiting Past Disasters
The recent earthquake also led to “sand boils” in Jintian and Caotan, two villages in Qinghai’s Minhe county, reminiscent of the ancient disaster that struck the Lajia Ruins 4,000 years ago. This parallel has been noted by experts as a “reappearance” of the historical catastrophe, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity.
Restoration Efforts Underway
The restoration process for the damaged relics involves basic yet crucial measures. At the Bingling Temple Grottoes, one of China’s key-protected cultural relics, cracks in the walls of protective buildings are being manually repaired, a task that typically takes about a month for a two-meter-long crack. However, the main cultural relics inside the grottoes remain undamaged.
Preventive strategies, such as controlling vegetation types to maintain air humidity balance, are employed to protect stone-carved statues and other artifacts. These efforts are critical in preserving the integrity of these historical treasures against natural elements.
Impact on Tourism and Monitoring
Tourism to nearby historical sites, including the Dunhuang Mogao Caves and Maiji Mountain Grottoes, has not been significantly affected by the earthquake. Precautionary measures like closing off collapsed sections and installing warning lines and signs are being enforced to ensure visitor safety.
The NCHA is actively monitoring potential secondary disasters to prevent further damage and safeguard the region’s rich cultural heritage. This commitment to preserving historical sites not only reflects China’s dedication to its cultural legacy but also highlights the challenges of protecting heritage in seismically active regions. Through these restoration efforts, China aims to maintain the historical and cultural significance of these provinces for future generations.
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