The colleague of which Childs-Johnson speaks is Dr. Yu Weichao, formerly the Director of the Chinese History Museum in Beijing and also formerly in charge of underground archaeology in the Three Gorges region. Childs-Johnson, Dr. Yu Weichao and others from the worlds of journalism, science and academia continue to struggle against those who would complete this dam disregarding all else.
"The dam is in the second phase of construction, diversion work is completed. Now the actual construction of the dam is underway. There is still a remote possibility of stopping the construction of the dam, but this depends on how enlightened the Chinese government under Zhu Rongji can be about this possibility and carrying it out. It (the Three Gorges Dam) is currently nine months behind schedule and seriously flawed," wrote Childs-Johnson.
What will be lost?
Barring some extraordinary circumstances, the history of an ancient Chinese Culture called the Ba will be lost forever. The Ba, explains Childs-Johnson, are thought to have inhabited the Three Gorges from ca. 2,100 B.C. to ca. 220 B.C. Ba relics are just beginning to be discovered and analyzed to determine the importance of these people in China's history. The Ba are especially known for their distinctive boat-shaped coffins, elaborate weaponry and bronze work. One of the most important Ba sites is Lijiaba in Yunyang county, Sichuan. Lijiaba has been identified as one of the most important sites in the region and major excavations were underway there during the 1998/99 archaeological season. This site has at least nine layers ranging in date from the Shang (ca. 2100 - 1700 B.C.) to the Qing dynasty (ca. 1800). Archaeological finds from this site include many burials, ritual jade and bronze vessels. Proper excavation and analysis of this site could take many years under normal circumstances. However, the quantity of sites still to be excavated and the lack of funds available will likely make that impossible.
Another site that will be inundated by the Yangtze's rising waters is the Buddhist monument at Single Pebble Village. At Single Pebble, a large niche was carved into the rock wall that hangs above the Yangtze. The niche holds a 7.5m tall statue of a seated Maitreya Buddha, who is flanked by two disciples. According to Childs-Johnson's article, "The Southern Cradle of Chinese Civilization: The Three Gorges", this site "continues to be the object of local worship and a gathering point on Buddhist holidays for Buddhists near and far."
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