Posted on 06/07/2004 10:42:01 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Silk painting, brassiere unearthed from ancient tombs in N. China
www.chinaview.cn 2004-06-07 15:47:45
HOHHOT, June 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese archeologists have announced their recent discovery of a fragmented silk painting and a brassiere in tombs at least 1,000 years old.
Fragments of a silk painting of steeds were unearthed from a Liao Dynasty (916 - 1125) tomb in a village in Xinhui town, Aohan Banner of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in north China.
"Unlike frescos that are often found in Liao Dynasty tombs, this one is an independent painting scroll and must have been the tomb owner's favorite," said Shao Guotian, head of the Aohan Banner Museum.
Shao said this was the second discovery of silk paintings from the Liao Dynasty, an empire founded by the Khitan ethnic group.
"The first one, reported in Faku county of Liaoning Province, northeast China, contained only simple sketches of rabbits or flowers. This one with horses, in contrast, was far more complicated," he said.
Discovery of the silk painting -- though fragmentary -- was one of great significance because it was the first one ever found to depict horses, which were close friends of the nomadic Khitans, and gave hints on the life of the nomadic clan, he added.
In the same tomb, archeological workers also found a cotton padded brassiere that was golden in color, daintily designed and was very similar in style and in function to those worn by modern women.
"It was made of fine silk and had shoulder strings and back strings just like brassieres of today," said Shao. "It's a pity most of the cotton padding in the cups already decayed."
From another two Liao Dynasty tombs in Aohan Banner, Shao and his colleagues unearthed over 30 pieces of fine chinaware, including bowls and kettles engraved with phoenixes and peonies.
All the three tombs had been broken into by thieves before the official excavation, said Shao. "If only we had dug earlier, we might have found an entire painting of horses."
According to Shao, more than 90 percent of the deserted Liao Dynasty tombs in the region needed further excavation. "There's a lot more for us to do."
Flat chested Chinese woman have been a problem in Faku County for way too long I say!
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These were probably large breasted Caucasian women.
"Details of their origins are unknown, but it is suggested that the Khitans are related to the Tatars, who are a broad mix of Slav, Mongol, Turk and Finnish ethnics. They are also said to be related to the Evenk (formerly Tungus) peoples of northern Siberia. The Khitans were first mentioned in historical records dating from 389 in the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period. They were located in the Xar Moron River valley and lived a nomadic life. Khitans are an alternative race of the Eastern Hu nomads. After the Xianbei-Wuhuan disappeared into China's melting pot during the 16 States (AD 304-420), newcomers from the north, together with the remaining Tungusic peoples, would occupy the eastern part of Mongolia and today's Manchuria. Those peoples would be the ancestors of later Khitans, Jürchens or Mongols. The Khitans first appeared on the stage in the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period, the successors of Khitans adopted the name Khitan for themselves. Khitans lived around the Liao River in today's Manchuria. To the east of the Khitans will be Koguryo, to the east the Xi Nomads (alternative race of the Huns), to the north Mojie and Shewei Tribes, and to the south Yingzhou Prefecture of Toba Wei. "
Yup. I believe they are all related. Pernament habitation on the deep steppes was impossible without the horse and wheel.
Just HOW large?
Is that a Xena breastplate? I used to go to Xena conventions with my sister hehehe
Only if its a 42 Extra Long.
Lets stay focused on the only REAL problem!
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(We can also spend some time on the merits of sharp pointy metallic objects purposely worn to deter poking, pinching, groping, fondling, slicing and dicing of said padded fleshy protusions which also tend to inhibit cuddling, hugging, smooching and friction, but are really really good to wear to a high flying sword fight. Aphrodite's approach to fashion does have my full attention.)
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Sure is . . . wish it were mine! Mine's rigid plastic, and it's not built for someone with my general proportions. (I think pics of that are still on my profile page.) I was working on a flexible latex one, but never could get the paint to adhere correctly.
LOL!
I saw your show on the new Oxygen cable channel. I knew it was only a matter of time until you were back.
I wonder if it looked like this?
If I was still into it, I'd just have someone make one for me. It's nice to have a friend who is a metal worker and sews leather :) Some people REALLY REALLY like Xena though and spend hundreds even thousands for their 'hobby'.
What, exactly, is a tomb-owner?
Why is everybody so hung-up on the wheel? Without an axle, it is worthless.
Lower, much lower...
lower? hehehe okay
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