Danzeng (Tenzin) Jinba and Qiu Zhijie will co-operate to assess the situation of one of the most misterious architecture in the world: the Tibetan Stone Towers in Danba. Qiu Zhijie has been interested in TIbetan culture, history and arts for more than a decade now and he has been involved extensively with Tibet (please check this article for more information). The first trip of the two academicians and one architect will take place in June 2009. This project brings to our attention how important and fundamental is co-operation with contemporary artists and heritage to create not only a better awareness of conservation problems but also to bring artists to a deeper research level in their own or other cultural traditions.
On the Damaged Tibetan Stone Towers in Danba, China - by Danzeng (Tenzin) Jinba
The May 12th 2008 Sichuan earthquake has affected Danba communities tremendously. Apart from human and material losses, one of the most tragic and shocking consequences of the earthquake is to cause great damage to the invaluable Tibetan stone-towers in Danba County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan of Southwestern China. According to the county (official) report, 45 such towers are severely damaged, among which 23 are labeled as ‘very dangerous’, namely, they are going to collapse at any time and will endanger the safety of tens of the households living under/around these towers. Actually, in my own investigation, the real situation is much more severe due to the fact that many of the most damaged towers or those which lean greatly are not accounted as being directly affected by the earthquake, and also due to the fact that the officials/cadres in Danba haven’t really done any serious survey based on my own observation, and villagers’ accounts.
I myself did three-day (October 9th -11th) preliminary investigation of the 20 towers in the northern mountainside of the Suopo Township, Danba. I found out that almost all of these towers need some sort of solidification by the fact that crevice and cracks could be found everywhere. At least 4 towers are going to collapse at any time. The stone base of these towers and the body itself are splitting, and some of them have the crevice of over 30 centimeters wide and 2-3 meters long, and all of them have at least one side and angle destroyed (These are all four-angled towers thus with four sides). Apart from these 4, many others seem to collapse in a few years, too. Then from October 14th to15th I started another investigation of the damage situation in southern mountainside of the Suopo Township. The situation here is not encouraging, either. Many of the towers are severely damaged, and the upper parts of some towers are destroyed…. Among all these damages, what astonishes me most is the damage of the 13-angled stone-tower. This stone-tower is referred to as the King of the Stone-towers due to its uniqueness (probably the only one of this type in the world), its exquisite design and magnificent appearance. Its southern sides have totally collapsed, and we can easily observe the cracks and crevices on its northern sides - it is the most exquisite tower I have ever seen, and its damage is a tremendous loss. If it was not repaired in time, the whole structure would collapse soon.
Second investigation, Spring time 2009
This report comprises two parts: the first part is a brief report that is written in English, and the second part is a very comprehensive scientific research/data/analysis in Chinese on the conditions of the stone towers in question.
Time: June 19th, 2009 – July 1st, 2009
Location: Suopo Township, Danba County, Sichuan Province, China
Objective: to investigate the status quo of the Tibetan Stone Towers (Blockhouses) and the damage from the earthquake and other natural/human factors in Suopo
Key Members: Tenzin Jinba (organizer, Tibet/Danba specialist and cultural anthropologist), Li Tianjin (architect from Sichuan University, photographer) and Wengzha (local mason)
Research Finding: All the 63 stone blockhouses we have investigated are subject to varying degrees of damage. Of 27 blockhouses that are situated next to villagers’ houses, 14 are seriously damaged,8 are medium damaged, and 5 are slightly damaged; of 36 blockhouses that are not close to any house, 26 are seriously damaged, 4 are medium damaged, and 6 are slightly damaged.
Variables for the damage degree: collapse, crevice, twisting, bulging, concavity and falling off.
Comments: on the whole the damage situation of these blockhouses is appalling, and if no immediate solidification project is carried out, some of the most damaged blockhouses may collapse at any time. Its collapse is not only the loss of the invaluable cultural heritage but also means that the life and property of the villagers who live nearby will be threatened. Due to various factors, the local government is unable to do anything practical to save these blockhouses so far. Therefore, the rescue project must be supported by the domestic and international community. In all, we are looking forward to saving these marvelous human miracles with your generous support.
A detailed scientific report (technical data and architectural blueprints of all sites investigated. Language in Chinese) is available for people interested.
