Photo taken on Dec. 17, 2019 shows the head of a statue from an ancient tomb in Xixian New District, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. A tomb dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) was discovered in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the province's archaeology institute said Tuesday. The tomb, found in Yancun Village, Xixian New District, is believed to belong to Xue Shao, the first husband of Princess Taiping, daughter of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty. The Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology worked on the excavation of the tomb from August to December this year, and unearthed a total of 120 relics, most of which are painted pottery figures. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
SHIJIAZHUANG, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Three white pottery figurines of huren, or tribesmen from the north, have been discovered in north China's Hebei Province, local authorities said.
The figurines, dating back to the early Tang dynasty (618-907), were found on a construction site in Zhaopai Village in Nanhe County, according to the local cultural relics protection department.
The three lifelike figures, each about half a meter high, were designed with the likeness of a civil officer with a hood and a bun on top of his head, a warrior in armor with a long beard and a merchant with only his head left, sporting a handlebar mustache and high nose bridge.
They were burial objects and belonged to an official at that time, said Xiao Zhonghuai, a local history expert.
Xiao added that the discovery of the figurines provides important materials for the study of socioeconomic development and funeral customs during the Tang Dynasty.
Salvage excavation is ongoing at the construction site.
