According to an article in the Beijing Youth newspaper dated July 6, 2005, China's Emperor Qin mausoleum could become a coal mine in 100 years. The report quotes Dr. Cao Junji, an consultant with the Academy of Sciences Institute.
Dr. Cao is presently engaged in a museum project dealing with the effects of air pollution on the famous terra cotta warriors and Xi'an horse sculptures. The two-year project began in March 2005. According to Dr. Cao, the slow deterioration of these world-famous archaeological treasures can be attributed to severe air pollution. The unearthing of the 2,000-year-old artifacts has made them prone to deterioration from oxidation and water damage. Unless the situation is remedied, he predicts that the figures' noses and hairs will slowly be eaten away and their arms will fall off.
Some experts estimate that the two million visitors who visit annually are the source of the air pollution. According to the report, a researcher placed a sheet of white paper in the museum, which turned dark gray within 24 hours and was covered with carbon particles.
According to a well-known air quality expert, those carbon deposits are residue from tourists' breathing and from ammonia particles contained in their clothing.
In addition to the impact from the polluted air, the figures are slowly deteriorating from an accumulation of fungi, up to 40 different species. At present, 1400 of the figures are contaminated with fungi.
In 1987 UNESCO placed the Qin Emperor's Terra Cotta Warriors on the list of World Heritage sites. Unless protective measures are taken as soon as possible, Dr. Cao said the museum would resemble a coal mine in 100 years. Should this happen, it would represent a huge loss, not only for the Chinese people.
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