Earliest wooden tomb figures discovered in Shaanxi, which are at least 500 years older than terra cotta warriors

Archaeologists have unearthed four wooden figures each about 80 centimeters tall in a tomb in northwest China's Shaanxi Province dating back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-221 BC).

These wooden tomb figures believed to be at least 500 years older than that of the terra cotta warriors and horses of Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC), said Yin Shenping, a researcher with the provincial archeological institute.

They were standing at the four corners of the tomb numbered "M502" in Liangdai village, Hancheng City, Yin said.

The wood has rotted and become clay, and experts are now considering recasting them with plaster and reagent.

Tomb figures, usually in the shape of human beings, were made of wood, earth, terra cotta, or stone and buried with the dead in ancient times. Before they were created, people were buried alive with the dead as sacrifices.

More images after the jump.











Source: Sohu
Images: People
Tags: Wooden | Tomb Figures