Ancient Mural Tomb Discovered in China

14 février 2017

Ancient Mural Tomb Discovered in China

Beauty in death. Archaeologists in Shuozhou City, in China, have uncovered a "mural tomb" dating back almost 1,500 years. Believed to be used by a local military commander and his wife the murals cover about 860 square feet of space. This particular mural is on the west wall of the passageway leading into the tomb. It shows a door guard leaning against his sword, watching warily. Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Protected in death. On the opposite wall of the passageway a guard of honor, some mounted on horses, stand watch over the tomb. The color of their uniforms is still vibrant despite the passage of time. Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Announcing your entrance. Four men blow into long horns at the entranceway into the tomb chamber, located on the south wall. Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Forever together. An image of the two buried individuals was painted on the north wall of the tomb chamber. At right is the male, believed to be a local military commander, and at left is his wife. They are seated under a canopy enjoying a banquet. To the right of the depiction of the buried male are male musicians and attendants. To the left of his wife are female musicians and attendants. Notice that all the females have their hair tied in the same style, a shape described by archaeologists as looking like a "flying bird." Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Detail of the cavalry. An up-close view of a cavalry line, the color of their pennants can still be seen. Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Strangers on a journey. On the west wall of the tomb chamber is a carriage pulled by a tan ox. The two drivers each have black hair and a "curly beard" and may be foreigners. Behind the carriage are five female attendants, a parasol above them. Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

Detail on female attendents. A close-up of four of the female attendants under a parasol. Notice the detail of their "flying bird" hairstyles. Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

An infinite sky. The dome ceiling of the tomb is painted dark gray to "signify the infinite space of the sky." A silver river, with waves, weaves across the sky representing the Milky Way galaxy. Stars can be seen and the sun is represented at center-right and the moon at center-left. Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

A light for eternity. The sun, in the sky, is shown with a "gold crow" at center. Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology

The Green Dragon. Below the sky map is a depiction of four supernatural beings. One of them, the Green Dragon, is seen here. Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Archaeology