LINE

Text:AAAPrint
Culture

1,500-year-old hidden mini-statue discovered in Yungang Grottoes

1
2018-02-27 09:09Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping ECNS App Download

A Chinese archaeologist has accidentally discovered a 1,500-year-old mini-statue hidden in a small hole in the Yungang Grottoes in north China's Shanxi Province.

The small statue, which was seriously eroded, was found on the west side of the No.16 Cave by Wang Yanqing, a researcher with the Yungang Grottoes Research Institute, when he was surveying the caves during the institute's routine maintenance last year.

The statue is 20 centimeters high, and the small hole where it was hidden is 11.5 meters above the ground. It depicts a half-length figure with wide shoulders and a muscular chest and abdomen, with two arms outstretched.

The carving style was similar to statues in the No.18 Cave and had a history of 1,500 years, Wang told Xinhua.

"We guess the statue was carved by the craftsmen who cut the hole. Due to its stealthy location, it was concealed when the wooden beams of the protective structures of the statues were plugged into the hole," he said.

The original beam structures of the No. 14 to No. 20 caves were later burned.

According to Wang, the newly-discovered statue was not included in the known statues of the site.

The Yungang Grottoes in Datong City boast more than 51,000 statues with the largest 17 meters high and the smallest 2 cm high. It was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2001.

  

Related news

MorePhoto

Most popular in 24h

MoreTop news

MoreVideo

News
Politics
Business
Society
Culture
Military
Sci-tech
Entertainment
Sports
Odd
Features
Biz
Economy
Travel
Travel News
Travel Types
Events
Food
Hotel
Bar & Club
Architecture
Gallery
Photo
CNS Photo
Video
Video
Learning Chinese
Learn About China
Social Chinese
Business Chinese
Buzz Words
Bilingual
Resources
ECNS Wire
Special Coverage
Infographics
Voices
LINE
Back to top Links | About Us | Jobs | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
Copyright ©1999-2018 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.