Color murals discovered in ancient tomb of north China

Seven colored murals were discovered on the walls of an ancient tomb in north China's Shanxi Province, according to the provincial institute of archaeology.

A colored mural discovered on a wall of an ancient tomb in Shanxi Province [Photo: Shanxi provincial institute of archaeology]

Located in a village of the Shuozhou city, the brick-chambered tomb was believed to date back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Archaeologists are excavating the tomb and the delicate murals.

The well-preserved murals depicted different themes of the time, such as a desk for ritual activities, landscapes and women.

The clothes and hairstyles of the four painted women shed lights on the ancient fashion of northern Shanxi in the Yuan Dynasty.

Wang Xiaoyi, director of the institute, said the identity of the tomb owner is yet to be known. More information will be disclosed upon further investigation.

"The new discoveries can provide valuable information for future studies on local burial customs and social life in Yuan dynasty," Wang said.