China's Largest Museum of Stone Carving Opens

China's largest museum of stone carving art has recently re-opened to public after a period of renovation.

The 5.2-hectare museum, in the city of Nanyang in central Henan Province, has a collection of 2,300 carved stones, all from the Han Dynasty (B.C.206-A.D.220).

The ancient carved stones were discovered by well-known Chinese archaeologist Dong Zuobin in 1923 in tombs of the nobility of the dynasty. Archaeologists have altogether found more than 6,000 similar stones in various parts of China.

The stones are carved with pictures illustrating fairy tales and historical stories, and others of constellations, wild animals and farm scenes.

The relics are important for studying the politics, economy, philosophy, science, culture and the arts of the dynasty.

Meanwhile, hundreds of experts and scholars from across the country recently attended a seminar on the stone carving art of the Han Dynasty in the city.


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