[MSN] Cliff paintings in northern China that date back to prehistoric times face severe damage from natural erosion and human destruction, according to a Chinese archaeological expert.

[MSN]

Ancient cliff paintings 'face severe damage'

Cliff paintings in northern China that date back to prehistoric times face
severe damage from natural erosion and human destruction, according to a
Chinese archaeological expert.

About 80 percent of ancient cliff or rock paintings in Ningxia, Inner
Mongolia, Xinjiang and Qinghai have sustained damage through the forces of
erosion and human activity, combined with a lack of protection, said expert
Zhou Xinghua.

"Cracks, falling pieces and collapses have made the previously clear
pictures difficult to identify and some have even completely disappeared,"
said Zhou,

The northwestern region boasts rich remains of such paintings with the most
famous sites at the Helan Mountain and Damaidi.

The eastern part of the Helan Mountain has 2,318 cliff paintings in an area
of seven square kilometers.

(Shanghai Daily March 29, 2008)

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