Description of the attraction
Luoyang Museum of Ancient Tombs is a unique museum, which became the first of its kind on the territory of the Celestial Empire. Located in the suburbs of Luoyang and, in addition to the main building, the museum complex also includes a pavilion with the necessary information regarding the most important archaeological finds.
In the main building of the museum, tourists can see the tombs of each particular era, reproduced with maximum accuracy, from the Han empire to the Song dynasty.
The expositions showing the oldest crypts present a collection of clay figurines that were found near the sarcophagi, as well as dishes with food and drink. In this case, the figures represent the deceased's servants, concubines, guards, pets, and guardian spirits. Each statuette is worked out in detail by professionals. According to the beliefs of the ancient Chinese, these tiny figures in the next world came to life and again served the owner, as it was during his lifetime.
Moving along the corridors of the Museum of Ancient Tombs, one can note the evolution of the style of decoration of the tombs. For example, it was typical for the Tang era to cover statuettes with polychrome glaze, which allowed them to preserve the original brightness of colors to this day. But closer to the end of the Tang era, figures began to be made more primitively, and then they completely disappear from the burial tradition. But they are being replaced by colorful frescoes.
All the works presented in the museum are copies skillfully made by the museum workers, which fully correspond to the original finds. The originals can be seen in specially designated halls of the museum behind glass showcases.
