September 9, 2026
Researchers Have a Theory About Why This 2,000-Year-Old Chinese Rock Art Is Still So Red
Few things survive the test of time, especially for nearly 2,000 years. But despite enduring rain, heat, wind, and humidity, this vibrant red rock art painted across the limestone cliffs of southern China has remained remarkably intact. Created sometime between the 5th century BCE and the 2nd century CE, the paintings are collectively known as the Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, named for their location in China’s Zuojiang River Valley.
