Scientists from Belgium insist that if the moulds are not killed as soon as possible, the ancient relics will be doomed.

Forty-eight types of mould are eating away at China's 2,000-year-old Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, reported Wednesday's (Oct 18) Beijing Morning Post.

Scientists from Belgium insist that if the moulds are not killed as soon as possible, the ancient relics will be doomed.

The museum jointly set up a microbe lab with Janssen Pharmaceutical Belgium in 2001 to curb the growth of the mould that has damaged the surface of the statues, and resulted in color changes. The mould is also said to be nibbling away at the inner material that could lead to irreparable damage.

Temperature changes caused by millions of visitors a year are thought to be the major reason behind the growing mould problem.

The museum extended its cooperation with the two pharmaceutical companies by signing an agreement on Tuesday to set up a cultural relic protection and research center.

The terracotta army was found in the tomb of China's first emperor, Qinshihuang, outside the city of Xi'an in the 1970s by farmers digging a well.

Editor: Wing