[Explanation] After half a century, the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, Henan have started the "overhaul" again.
Recently, the reporter learned that the large-scale protection project of water seepage control and dangerous rock mass reinforcement started in Fengxian Temple of Longmen Grottoes, the progress of the main project is more than half, and the seepage water and dangerous rock mass disease are the main "causes".
[Explanation] The Longmen Grottoes were first excavated during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty and flourished in the Tang Dynasty.
The Lushena Buddha standing in Fengxian Temple represents the highest artistic level of the Longmen Grottoes.
[Explanation] In the Longmen Grottoes Scenic Spot, the Dongshan Mountain is far away, and the Xishan rock body caves are densely covered, and the Fengxian Temple has been covered by green protection nets and scaffolding.
The "surgical gown" woven of 40,000-meter steel pipes and protective nets still can't stop the "smile" of the Buddha, and the outline of the Buddha statue is faintly visible.
In order to reduce the impact on tourists' visits, the "overhaul" of the Longmen Grottoes adopts a semi-open method, and there is an endless stream of tourists on site.
[Concurrent] Shi Jiazhen, President of Luoyang Longmen Grottoes Research Institute
Our protection work has always been the first. In 1971, it was overhauled. After more than 50 years, we inspected the first two years. There were loose rocks in some places, and some diseases and insect pests.
For example, water seepage, rock weathering, rock collapse, and other cracks must be repaired.
[Explanation] The reporter climbed the 50-meter-high scaffolding to the top of the Lucena Buddha and saw that many construction workers hung ropes around their waists and climbed on the steeper rock walls to clean up the residual dust in the cracks.
It is reported that the restoration area is mainly concentrated in Fengxian Temple, which will be carried out in accordance with the content of the plan approved by the cultural relics department.
[Concurrent] Fan Zilong, a cultural relics protection expert at Luoyang Longmen Grottoes Research Institute
Working at heights, the vertical distance of this shelf is more than 50 meters high.
In fact, the slope of the construction operation surface on the surface is very large, which may bring a lot of difficulties to the construction, and the slope may be some (up to) sixty or seventy degrees.
[Explanation] Fan Zilong told reporters that the control of seepage water is one of the difficulties of this protection project, and the detection of crack development in the depths of the rock mass is also a difficult problem for grotto protection workers.
[Concurrent] Fan Zilong, a cultural relics protection expert at Luoyang Longmen Grottoes Research Institute
At present, the construction of cultural relics protection requires informationized construction. For grottoes, the geological conditions on the top of the mountain are also relatively complicated. Maybe what you see below, in fact, after the detailed investigation during the construction process, it is found that there may be some work needs to be done. Going a little bit more detailed, because there are some hidden works, so the amount of work may be a little more than expected.
[Explanation] The reporter learned that while the Longmen Grottoes "overhauled" Fengxian Temple, they also cooperated with colleges and universities to conduct a comprehensive "physical examination". Through non-destructive testing and other technologies, the weathering degree and moisture content of the surface of the caves and cultural relics were measured. Form a complete grotto disease investigation report, which aims to provide a basis for the next step to formulate the overall protection plan of the Longmen Grottoes.
[Concurrent] Shi Jiazhen, President of Luoyang Longmen Grottoes Research Institute
Because Lushena (Big Buddha) is so famous, and it is about to (Luoyang Peony Culture Festival), so we are working overtime now, trying to finish the main work before the flowers.
It is not easy to set up a shelf once, only once in 50 years.
We need to do a thorough investigation of the entire pest and disease and make a complete assessment of its current state of preservation.
[Explanation] Dean Shi also said that the next protection of the Longmen Grottoes requires multi-departmental cooperation, multi-disciplinary participation, and the application of various scientific and technological means to realize the overall digitization of the Longmen Grottoes.
Reporter Li Chaoqing Kan Li reported from Luoyang, Henan
Responsible editor: [Li Ji]