Yinxu (Chine): Tombs with undamaged mural paintings from Tang Dynasty

CNTV

Source - http://www.kaogu.cn/en/detail.asp?ProductID=3478

In one ongoing excavating section of Anyang's Yinxu Ruins, scholars found two family tombs with undamaged mural paintings.

According to the archaeologists, the two large-scale tomb sites sit side-by-side possibly belonging to imperial families from the Tang Dynasty. Although the sites have been heavily damaged by tomb robbers in past years, the mural paintings seem very well preserved.

He Yuling, archaeologist, Anyang, Henan, said, "This is a floor lamp, and there are three oil lamp dishes on it. This is a maid pouring lamp oil into the dish. It's a scene in the family mansion. The costume of the maid, as well as the way she wears make-up, is very typical of late-Tang Dynasty style."

Judging from the details of painting skills, a series of scenes including house building, home furniture, flowers and birds also supported the deduction that the murals are from the late Tang Dynasty. Similar mural paintings have been discovered in Shanxi and Shandong Provinces, but it's only the second time that late Tang Dynasty murals have been unearthed in Anyang, which has provided ground material for the local historical studies.

According to the archaeologists, the two large-scale tomb sites sit side-by-side  possibly belonging to imperial families from the Tang Dynasty. Although the sites have been heavily damaged by tomb robbers in past years, the mural paintings seem very well preserved.