Preservation
Some experts believe the best thing to do now is nothing, as technology is limited. "Before we make use of our cultural relics, we should protect them," said Fang Minghua, former director of Chun'an County's Heritage Management Office. He said that currently, technology does not offer viable options.
Fang uses an example of two wooden beams from the ancient city that gradually began to shrink when taken out of their underwater environment and exposed to air. Water offers wood better protection; exposure to the air increases the possibility of damage.
Further, the walls are delicate and might collapse due to changes in water currents. Fang suggests that sailing, fishing, or sand digging in nearby areas should be prohibited.
At the end of 2002, the Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences proposed building an Archimedes Bridge, also known as a suspended tunnel. An Archimedes Bridge relies on the buoyancy to float in water. Cable ropes are fixed to the bottom of the lake to prevent it from shifting. The top of the tunnel provide a distance of 20 meters, enough for big liners.
"Right now, the test for a model Archimedes Bridge has passed," said Fang Yang, a local official in charge of the tourism in Qiandao Lake. "Next, we will test the model in lakes that have the same environment as Qiandao Lake."
The Archimedes Bridge is a difficult project. Seven countries are doing research on it at the moment, including Norway, Japan, Swiss, Brazil, and the US. If the Archimedes Bridge for Qiandao Lake succeeds, it will be the first real Archimedes Bridge in the world.
Source:Global Times
Print
Save