One of the most famous Tocharian mummies found, the so-called "Beauty of Loulan"; and right, her face, as reconstructed by an artist.
She reminds me of the Afghani girl with the haunting eyes featured on the Time Magazine cover.
One of the most famous Tocharian mummies found, the so-called "Beauty of Loulan"; and right, her face, as reconstructed by an artist.
She reminds me of the Afghani girl with the haunting eyes featured on the Time Magazine cover.
I think you meant National Geographic, but I see your point. As a matter of fact, the Tocharians settled in Afghanistan before they founded the Kushan Empire. That is where Zhang Qian, a Chinese ambassador, found them in 128 B.C., after the Xiongnu had driven them out of Gansu.
When Richard Francis Burton, the 19th-century explorer, sneaked into Mecca, he explained his European features by telling any Moslem who asked that he was from Afghanistan. That Afghan girl may very well have Tocharian ancestors in her family tree.
Yup. She is covered thoroughly in the excellent book by Elizabeth Barber, The Mummies Of Urumchi.
Her image has been adopted by the Uighars(sp) who call her 'The Mother Of Our Country.' Her image has begun appearing on currency and other official documents. The Chinese don't like it at all.