Chinese archaeologists have discovered rare earthenware painted
blue from a 1,500-year-old tomb in Luoyang, an ancient city in
central China's Henan
Province.
The tomb, dating back to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), is
located at a site with groups of ancient tombs near the Chongyang
Mausoleum of Emperor Sima Zhao of the Western Jin Dynasty (265 -
317).
Over 60 cultural relics including lacquer, jade items, bronze
objects and earthenware were excavated from the tomb. Among the
relics, the most valuable one was a painted earthen figure in the
shape of an ancient maid.
Both the front and back parts of the earthen maid were painted
bright blue, a color rarely used in the period. The earthenware of
the Northern Wei Dynasty usually had red, white and black
paint.
Based on the study of the delicate creation skills of the
unearthed earthen figures in the shape of ancient musicians or
warriors, the experts indicated that the tomb belongs to a
high-ranking official or member of a noble family in the
period.
(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2006)
