Stunning murals discovered in small Tang-era tomb depict eighth-century everyday life
- Archaeologists theorised that same painter helped decorate tomb of famous Tang-era king
Archaeologists in northern China revealed in early June a small brick tomb filled with remarkably well-preserved and beautiful murals dating back to the 8th century.
The murals, announced by the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, depict scenes of daily life during the Tang dynasty (618-907).
According to state-owned media Xinhua, the tomb was first discovered in 2018 and is believed to have belonged to a man who died in 736 at the age of 63.
The mural covers every side of the tomb except for the floor and features a white background over which are painted depictions of daily life.
The artwork is styled like other Tang-era pieces, featuring strong outlines with simple shading and most of the scene appearing two-dimensional.
The mural is part of an artistic style called “figure under the tree” that, as the name implies, depicts people performing various activities below a beautifully depicted tree.