from The New York Times -
Buddha’s Caves
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Over the years, progress on the preservation of the once sacred caves can only be termed as patient - thanks in part to the largess of the Getty Foundation, the work of the Getty Conservation Institute and commitment of the Chinese government. But the singular, and in no way unique, problem persists:

"The question of access versus preservation is a poignant one and is by no means confined to Mogaoku. It applies to many fragile monuments."

and

"The impact has been significant. The risk of direct contact with art is somewhat reduced by the installation of transparent screens, but the physical degradation caused by fluctuating atmospheric conditions — humid to dry to humid again — is acute. Although no one is saying so, it is possible that without major change, all the caves will eventually have to be closed to the public."

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