1200-year-old Buddha cliff carvings found in Tibet

A newly discovered cliff carvings of Buddha in eastern Tibet may offer a glimpse into the Buddhist art and local history from 1,200 years ago, according to experts.

The discoveries, dating back to the Tibetan Tubo Kingdom era, were found in Acur township in Chagyab County of the Qamdo City, the regional cultural relics protection research institute said.

The era of Tubo Kingdom is said to be the most powerful period in Tibet's history which has made contributions to the Tibetan culture and the Tibetan Buddhism.

Tibetan leader Songtsan Gambo brought together more than 10 separate tribes during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) of China, an event commonly seen as marking the establishment of the Tubo Kingdom, making his capital in present-day Lhasa.

The relics of the Buddha figure carvings were first found by construction workers who were mining for stones in a valley.

The carvings are inscribed on cliffs that stretch some 10 metres in total, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported today.

Experts believe that the carvings were created in the 9th century, based on their style. They are located at a transportation junction between the north and the south.

The discoveries will not only contribute to the study of art and culture, but also ancient transportation, the report said, adding that construction on the section has been stopped and the relics are under the protection of authorities.

There are over 5,000 statues in cliff carvings, in various styles and from different periods, of Buddha and Bodhisattvas or the protector of Buddhist Dharma have been found in Tibet. The most famous one being in the Chakpori mountain. The earliest statue dates back to the 7th century.