Central China discovers ancient tomb with detailed frescos

Archaeologists in central China's Hunan Province said Monday that they had recently discovered an ancient tomb, with a fresco depicting two maids, that could date back over 1,400 years.

Luo Shengqiang, an expert with the city's cultural relic department, said that based on funerary items found in the 14-meter long and 2-meter wide tomb, in a village under Suxian District of Chenzhou City, it was believed to be built in the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-589).


In clean and smooth lines, the colored fresco on the tomb wall depicts two maids standing wearing similar long skirts and coats with open collars exposing their shoulders.

"This is the oldest fresco tomb discovered in Hunan. It is rare to see in southern China," said Luo, adding that the fresco could contribute to the study of China's clothing history. Enditem


Source
http://en.people.cn/

Central China discovers ancient tomb with detailed frescos

Mural found in north China ancient tomb

Archaeologists have found murals dating back more than 900 years in a tomb in north China's Shanxi province.

The tomb, from the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234) is in Zhangzi county.

The colorful murals are largely painted on a white background. The upper part features acts of filial piety, said Zhang Guanghui, a research fellow with Shanxi provincial archaeological research institute.

Beneath, the murals depict people working and cooking. Flanking the gate of the tomb, there are images of herdsmen and cattle.

The pictures are adorned with floral, animal and cloud motifs, Zhang said.

"We have seen several tombs with murals from the Jin Dynasty, but such well-preserved ones are a rarity," he said.

The tomb was found last April and reported as robbed. Artifacts and the bodies are missing, making it difficult for Zhang and his team to identify the original occupants.

"Judging from the murals, however, we can deduce that the owners may have been aristocrats. They were certainly rich," he added.

The tomb is now under the protection of the Museum of Shanxi.

Source

http://www.ecns.cn/

Mural found in north China ancient tomb