Longmen Grottoes

Longmen Grottoes

Longmen Grottoes, located near Luoyang in Henan Province, is one of the most famous ancient Buddhist sculptural sites in China. The site was first constructed in 493 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty and continued to be expanded and improved during the Tang and Song Dynasties. The grottoes contain over 100,000 statues, with the largest measuring over 17 meters in height. In addition to the sculptures, the grottoes are also adorned with inscriptions and carvings that provide valuable insights into Chinese art, religion, and history. Climate change could have a significant impact on the preservation of Longmen Grottoes. The site is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, flooding, and high temperatures, all of which are projected to increase in frequency and intensity with climate change. These events could lead to erosion, deterioration of the sculptures, and damage to the grottoes' rock walls. In addition, changes in humidity and temperature could create conditions that promote the growth of moss and other vegetation, which could further damage the sculptures and inscriptions. To protect this important cultural heritage site, it is crucial to monitor and understand the impacts of climate change and take appropriate measures to mitigate them.

is51102023

yz221@st-andrews.ac.uk

Chinese

Site

701

30/04/2023

cm x cm x cm

current, 34.5161,112.4690;

Longmen Grottoes

TEXT

cave

public

1

yz221@st-andrews.ac.uk