Liao Dynasty Site

1996 World Monuments Watch

Since 1989, important finds have been made in the southeastern area of Inner Mongolia, once home to the Hong Shan – a Bronze Age prairie culture, and later the first site of the Liao culture. Liao Dynasty tomb sites have been excavated and found to contain extensive human and material remains, elaborately crafted metal and pottery artifacts, and elements of Liao tomb and graveyard architecture. One section of these newly discovered graveyards was destroyed in June 1991 by seasonal floods, calling attention to the need to protect the area. The ancient city wall has also been destroyed by flooding. A ten-kilometer dike has been constructed to address the situation, and a plan has been prepared and approved that calls for the construction of two additional dikes and the conservation of the site's architectural features. Any delays in the implementation of this plan will result in further destruction of the site.