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The Kumtura Thousand Buddha Caves (300-1000
AD) are located in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous
Region. Construction on these caves began with the
growth of Buddhism in China from India during the
early first century and ended in the eleventh century.
The ancient Qiuzi people absorbed the best elements
of foreign art into their own advanced traditional
art thereby enhancing their culture with a brilliant
new style. Carved by the Turk, Han, Uighur and Tibetan
people, the caves have a unique historical, scientific
and artistic value that reflects a combination of
Eastern and Western culture. After 1500 years of war
and natural disaster, the niches still hold an excellent
collection of Buddhist Quici art.
The caves face increasing threats from
geological, environmental and artificial factors,
which the UNESCO Office Beijing seeks to amend or
circumvent through conservation and restoration. The
project aims to strengthen the structure of the caves
and protect the interior frescoes by reducing corrosion
and averting further damage from seismic activity
and other natural disasters.
In 2003, three missions were undertaken
to monitor conservation work on the Kumtura Caves
and meet with the project team regarding management.
Experts investigated and discussed the master conservation
plan and basic design of the project, and set up a
weather station. In addition, they assessed the interior
murals and structural rock body, and made detailed
records of the caves, and constructed a road. In August
2003, a Tripartite Meeting was held amongst specialists
in Japan to discuss the project's comprehensive work
plan. Further scientific testing and analysis has
since been conducted on the atmospheric climate to
improve the condition of the murals and structural
cave body. |
