In Gansu, Climate Change Threatens China’s Ancient Silk Road Relics

Extreme weather events driven by climate change are increasingly threatening ancient cultural relics in China’s northwestern Gansu province. New research indicates that cave paintings and artifacts in Dunhuang and Zhangye, particularly those in the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are facing significant deterioration and damage due to unprecedented rainfall. In a study likely to be released later this week, researchers from the National Climate Center, Dunhuang Research Academy, and environmental nonprofit Greenpeace sought to assess the effects of climate change on the cave paintings. Combining meteorological data analysis, on-site observations, and in-depth assessments of the cave paintings and artifacts, they aimed to shed light on the deteriorating condition of these cultural relics, while emphasizing the need for conservation efforts and resource allocation.

tips

silk：丝绸

relic：遗迹

cave：洞穴

heritage：遗产（同heredity 遗传）

deterioration：恶化；衰退

deteriorate：使恶化（deter- = bad，lower，坏，低级）

unprecedented：空前的

precedent：先例

meteorological：气象学的

meteorology：气象学（meteor 流星；大气现象

shed：棚；厂房；去除；摆脱；揭示

shed light on：阐明

emphasize：强调；加强