Ancient Writings

A cave complex in northwest China preserves evidence of artistic activity that may stretch from the Early Bronze Age to the era of Tibetan Buddhist expansion. In a new study published in npj Heritage Science, researchers identify anthropomorphic figures and geometric motifs at Tangbaletasi in Xinjiang’s Altai region, followed by later Tibetan-script inscriptions and a crossed vajra. The result is a picture of Chinese cave art as a layered record of changing communities rather than a single moment of painting. It also shows how advanced imaging can reveal details that ordinary photographs miss. Geographic location and surrounding landscape of the Tangbaletasi Cave Paintings. (Huang et al/ Nature ) A Cave Used Across Centuries Tangbaletasi lies in the mountains of Fuyun