Where Is the Origin of Humans’Skiing？人类滑雪的起源地在哪？

The Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics saw many excellent athletes compete on the ice and snow， prompting an enthusiasm for winter sports in China. In fact， the country has had a deep relationship with winter sports since ancient times， with skiing originating in the Altay prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

In 2005， cave paintings of Altay people hunting on skis with poles were discovered， which archaeologists estimated could be more than 10，000 years old. Since then， Altay has been recognized by many as one of the birthplaces of skiing.

As one of the richest collections of ancient rock art in China， there are herds of camels， sheep， wolves and human figures. The painting on the roof of a cave in Dundebulake village of Altay prefecture depicts humans on skis， bending their knees as they travel alongside animals， including deer and moose.

北京冬奥会和冬残奥会上，优秀运动员们参与了冰雪运动比赛，激发了中国人民对冬季运动的热情。实际上，中国自古以来就与冬季运动有着深厚的渊源，滑雪就起源于新疆维吾尔自治区的阿勒泰地区。

2005年，人们发现了阿勒泰先民滑雪狩猎的岩画，考古学家估算这些壁画可能有1万多年的历史。从那时起，阿勒泰就被许多人视为人类滑雪的起源地之一。

阿勒泰是中国古代岩画分布最丰富的地区之一，岩画包含骆驼群、羊群、狼群和人物等内容。阿勒泰敦德布拉克村一个洞穴的顶部画有岩画，画中人物脚踏滑雪板，弯腰屈膝，与鹿和驼鹿等动物一同驰骋。

The rock art in Dundebulake is well preserved because the pictographs are well hidden in the cave.

Additionally， Altays dry climate has been a useful preserving agent， according to a 2016 research paper published by the Hebei Normal University.

Unique geographical and climatic conditions make skiing an indispensable part of local peoples lives. The climate in Altay is mild and not too windy， so skiers are less affected by weather conditions， allowing them to safely move faster.

Unlike the modern skis we use nowadays， fur skis have been used as a means of transportation for the snowfield inhabitants of Altay for more than 100 centuries， according to rock carvings uncovered in the area.

Making skis has been a traditional skill. The handmade skis have a layer of horse skin. The fur on the horse skin can help decrease friction when they slide down the hill， while the skis also prevent skiers from falling when they walk up. At the same time， they have a wooden stick in hand to keep balance.

Fur ski competitions have been held annually by the local government. Many locals would display their maneuvers at the competitions.

敦德布拉克的古代岩画很好地掩藏在洞穴中，因而保存完好。

此外，根据河北师范大学2016年发布的一篇研究论文，阿勒泰气候干燥，这也成了一种有用的保藏剂。

独特的地理和气候条件让滑雪成为当地人生活中不可或缺的一部分。阿勒泰气候温和少风，因此滑雪者受天气条件的影响较小，能够安全快速地滑行。

与我们现在使用的现代滑雪板不同，根据阿勒泰地区出土的岩画显示，阿勒泰先民使用毛皮滑雪板作为交通工具已有1万多年。

制作滑雪板一直是阿勒泰的一项传统手艺。手工制作的滑雪板附有一层马皮。马皮上的皮毛可以帮助滑雪者在滑下山坡时减少摩擦，也可以防止滑雪者在上山时摔倒。同时，滑雪者会手拿一根木棍，来保持平衡。

阿勒泰地方政府每年都会举办毛皮滑雪比赛。许多当地人会在比赛中一展身手。

Word Bank

prompt /pr?mpt/ v. 激起;促使

His speech prompted an angry outburst from a man in the crowd.

estimate /'est?me?t/ v. 估計;估算

Try to estimate how many steps it will take to get to a close object.

depict /d?'p?kt/ v. 描画;描绘

pictograph /'p?kt?'ɡrɑ?f/ n. 象形图画

indispensable /'?nd?'spens?bl/ adj. 不可或缺的

friction /'fr?k?n/ n. 摩擦

maneuver /m?'nu?v?/ n. （熟练的）移动