Clay mausoleums dating back to the Western Xia Dynasty (1032-1227) in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, also known as the "Pyramids of China", are in danger of collapsing due to damage by the elements, especially wind erosion, over the last 1,000 years.

"The largest tomb, about 15 meters high, has a two-meter deep and one-meter wide crack, and a 10-meter stretch of the western wall has collapsed," said Dai Wenzhen, deputy director of the administration office of the tombs.

Most tombs belonging to noblemen face similar problems, Dai said, adding that partial ruin has been reported of some tombs.

"The entire group of noblemen's tombs is in danger of vanishing. Protection measures for the tombs must be put in place at once," Dai said.

The Western Xia Imperial Tombs comprise nine mausoleums of emperors and 207 tombs belonging to noblemen.

In 2000, the Chinese government channeled 10 million yuan (about US$1.25 million) for the repair and protection of the No.3 imperial tomb. Experts sprayed, daubed and injected chemical materials into the tomb walls.

The experts also reinforced the bottom of No.1, 2, 4 and 6 imperial tombs to curb the effects of wind erosion.

As a result of these efforts, the speed degradation of some of the imperial tombs has been slowed down, but the lesser tombs have not been protected as adequately because of a lack of financial resources.

The Western Xia mausoleums, together with 13 other natural attractions and cultural relics, are classified under the first group on the country's heritage list.
 
(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2006)