Ancient cliff paintings found in Inner Mongolia
( 2003-12-20 11:04) (Xinhua)
Chinese archeologists have
found a group of cliff paintings in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous
Region that they believe are more than 2,000 years old.
The 100-odd paintings were found on rocks in a deep valley dubbed "ghost
valley" in the Urad Middle Banner bordering Mongolia,according to North China
News, a newspaper based in Hohhot, capital of the autonomous region.
Some paintings feature images of animals -- cattle, sheep and dogs, and
others tell how the ancient northerners used to hunt.
The paintings are well protected as few people have ever visited the valley,
in which archeologists have also found grottoes of rare shapes and ancient
trees.
Experts say the cliff paintings will provide clues to scholars on the history
of the northern nomadic tribes who inhabited the region over 2,000 years ago.
Earlier reports said a group of 5,000-year-old cliff paintings were uncovered
in Wuhai, in the western part of the autonomous region.
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