Ancient limestone cave suffers damage in Inner Mongolia

An ancient limestone cave took shape about 10,000 years ago in the Helan Mountain of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has suffered devastation due to illegal excavation and robbery, the local mountain administration said Monday.

The cave, containing innumerable stalactites of various shapes, is located in the Helan Mountain, Alashan League, northwest of Inner Mongolia. It was discovered by forest rangers in July this year.

Unfortunately, the potential tourist site has become a victim of robbers, who risk harsh punishment by stealing those stalactites

Experts said it was the biggest limestone cave in the Helan Mountain which has a history of 10,000 years and has a high value for archaeological studies.

But according to the forest police, the cave has been devalued due to damage caused by robbers, some of whom have been arrested.

Local administrators has installed an anti-theft door at the cave's entrance in September this year to prevent the cave from being further robbed.

Source: Xinhua

Children's book review: In the Dark Cave

In the Dark Cave. Richard Watson, illustrated by Dean Norman. Star Bright Books, New York; 2005. ISBN 1-59572-038-3. 8.5 by 11 inches, 40 pages, softbound. $5.95.

A cute little poem by Red Watson about a cave cricket, a cave rat, and a cave bat. Each stanza faces a cartoon by Dean Norman. The book could easily have been made much smaller without losing anything, but still the price is about as low as any for a book these days. Would be a nice gift for a smallchild.

Cave Diving Museum

The newly instituted Cave Diving Museum and Library needs your help.

An informational CD is being produced to raise money for the Museum and Library and we need more old photos and short video clips. We hope to include on this CD: photos significant to the history of cave diving equipment development influential persons current equipment inventory some historic maps, etc. 

So if you have anything you would like to donate to be included on this CD , now is the time. All pics / video, must be donated by the original owners. Digital format is best. If hard copy photos are to be donated, they can be scanned and sent back to the owner. 

Please email Brian Williams: bmwcaves@msn.com or Cindy Butler; butler_cynthia@bellsouth.net with a brief description of photos or video you may want to donate, or even suggestions and we will provide further information. 

 Or if you would like to send something snail mail, just email a request for the address. We are currently working on fund raising, equipment and photo donations. A building has been located in High Springs to house the museum and we are working out the logistics of the set up and inventory 

 Thanks, Brian Williams , Board of directors; Cave Diving Museum and Library NSS 43870