An ancient frescoed tomb has been excavated in the western suburbs of Beijing.

Archeologists said that the tomb built around the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) is very rare because of its colored mural paintings.

Judging from the inscription on the memorial tablet within the tomb, a couple were buried there and the husband named Zhao Li was an official when he was alive.

Experts in Beijing said that there are six vivid colored paintings within the grave.

Twelve animals are painted on the roof of the burial chamber representing the 12 Earthly Branches used to symbolize the year in which a person is born, and the fresco also embodies scenes of the couple's daily lives, playing music, meeting guests and holding banquets.

One of them is a representation of servants' activities in the kitchen: some are cooking, some are ready to serve meals and others were waiting humbly for calls.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2002)