Tens of thousands of ancient pictures carved into the rocks at one of France’s most important tourist sites are being gradually destroyed. Scientists and researchers fear that the 36,000 drawings on rocks in Mont Bego in the French Alps are being damaged so rapidly that they will not survive for future generations.
The mountain believed to have once been a site for prayer is scattered with 4000-year-old drawings cut into bare rock. But as the popularity of the site increases, the pictures are being ruined by thoughtless graffiti.
Jean Clottes is the chairman of the International Committee on Rock Art. He says “People think that because the pictures have been there so long they will always continue to be there. But if the damage continues at this rate there will be nothing left in 50 years.”
He describes seeing tourists stamping on the drawings, wearing away the rock and clearness of the artwork as they do so. Some visitors he says even cut off parts to take home as souvenirs. Other researchers describe how people arrive carrying long sticks with sharp ends to scratch their own drawings, or even their names in the rocks.
But experts are divided over the best way to preserve the drawings. Henry de Lumley, director of the Museum of Natural History in Paris, believes that the only way to save the site is to turn the whole mountain into a “no-go” area, preventing the public from going there except on guided tours.
Clottes disagrees. “The measure suggested by Henry de Lumley is the most severe, and while it is the most effective, it is also certain to bring about protests from people who live there” he said. “The site was classified as a historic monument years ago by the Ministry of Culture and we must do as much as possible to save what is there.”
Annie Echassoux who also worked on researching the site is alarmed that as the mountain becomes easier to reach — tourists can now avoid the three-and-a-half-hour walk by hiring vehicles — the damage will increase rapidly. She thinks that the only solution is to rope off the area and provide guides. “You can’t say the plan can’t go ahead because there is no money ” she said. “That is not good enough. Money must be provided because the Ministry of Culture has classified this area as a historic site. If we don’t take steps, we will be responsible for losing the drawings for the next generation.”
【小题1】Jean Clottes says that people who visit the mountain________.| A．do not believe the drawings are old. | B．believe they are allowed to paint there |
| C．assume the drawings will not disappear | D．think the drawings should be left alone |
| A．taken bits of the rock home | B．helped to clean the drawings |
| C．been unable to take photographs | D．misunderstood what the pictures mean |
| A．protect public rights | B．ban traffic in the area |
| C．set up research projects | D．keep out individual visitors |
| A．Worried. | B．Supportive. | C．Disappointed. | D．Hesitant. |
| A．advertise the closing of the site | B．encourage scientists to visit the site |
| C．describe fears for the future of the site | D．warn visitors about the dangers of the site |
