An ancient stone high relief of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), imitating wood carvings, was first discovered by Chinese archaeologists during excavations in Shanxi Province (North China).

According to the Shanxi Archaeological Research Institute on Saturday, the high relief was found during excavations of a tomb in the village of Zhijiabao near the city of Datong. Judging by the surviving inscription, the burial of three underground chambers dates back to the second year of the Tai'an dynastic rule, that is, to 456.

The high relief that encircled the tomb is dominated by the remains of red, white and black paint. Painted stone carvings depict the expressive figures of warriors with naked torsos, weapons in hand. Obviously, the soldiers were called upon to protect the burial place from evil forces and robbers.

According to archaeologists, the study of the high relief allows for a deeper study of the art and traditions of the era of the Northern and Southern dynasties in Northern China, which was characterized by the mutual penetration of the cultures of the Han people (actually the Chinese) and nomadic peoples, partly moving to settled life.