When Ancient Art is Copied and History is Lost
In China there is probably more examples of ancient geometric writing than anywhere else in the world.
Unfortunately, many modern sites now try to copy this ancient artistic writing, in an attempt to make modern updates look more "authentic".
While traveling around China I did come across many temples where linear texts were etched onto the wall, and some where modern copies were clearly etched in modern concrete. However, other linear patterns were carved onto stone, and this is where these carvings will cause problems in future generations.
On asking the curators about this copying of ancient art, the problem they see is the archaeologists who is in charge of ancient temples will usually be only interested in looking at ancient pottery. Naturally, the day to day maintenance of the temple is not controlled by archaeologists, nor is the displaying of the temple to the public an area that archaeologists think much about.
Thus the archaeologists are usually unaware of which parts of a repaired wall in a temple are made from original stones and which parts have been "artistically restored". This makes attempts to analyze the walls to determine the angles that the lines make in ancient temples (such as the heavily marked temple walls at Zhangjiajie) almost impossible.
In many Chinese temples, the groups tasked with improving the tourist's experience appear to want to give the tourist this false "authentic" experience, where the temple is presented in as pristine a condition as possible. So, unfortunately, many genuine examples of the Babel Text are hidden, or they are reworked to the point they are destroyed, or they are sometimes just thrown away.
Clearly, if they were aware that they were destroying, or throwing away extremely ancient documents much greater care would be taken. Unfortunately, I am only one person, and though I try to do the best I can, I have found my voice is far better heard when it comes from others. So, hopefully someone can help me in saving the ancient history of China.
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Unfortunately, many modern sites now try to copy this ancient artistic writing, in an attempt to make modern updates look more "authentic".
While traveling around China I did come across many temples where linear texts were etched onto the wall, and some where modern copies were clearly etched in modern concrete. However, other linear patterns were carved onto stone, and this is where these carvings will cause problems in future generations.
On asking the curators about this copying of ancient art, the problem they see is the archaeologists who is in charge of ancient temples will usually be only interested in looking at ancient pottery. Naturally, the day to day maintenance of the temple is not controlled by archaeologists, nor is the displaying of the temple to the public an area that archaeologists think much about.
Thus the archaeologists are usually unaware of which parts of a repaired wall in a temple are made from original stones and which parts have been "artistically restored". This makes attempts to analyze the walls to determine the angles that the lines make in ancient temples (such as the heavily marked temple walls at Zhangjiajie) almost impossible.
In many Chinese temples, the groups tasked with improving the tourist's experience appear to want to give the tourist this false "authentic" experience, where the temple is presented in as pristine a condition as possible. So, unfortunately, many genuine examples of the Babel Text are hidden, or they are reworked to the point they are destroyed, or they are sometimes just thrown away.
Clearly, if they were aware that they were destroying, or throwing away extremely ancient documents much greater care would be taken. Unfortunately, I am only one person, and though I try to do the best I can, I have found my voice is far better heard when it comes from others. So, hopefully someone can help me in saving the ancient history of China.
Any help would be very much appreciated.
No comments have been added yet.
