A rare rock carving showing a chariot pulled by four horses has been discovered in China’s Helan Mountains, adding an unusual image to one of the country’s best-known collections of ancient rock art. According to English China News Service (ECNS), the carving was found during a routine survey in the Helankou Rock Art Protection Zone in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Most of the stone was buried underground, and only about 15 centimetres was visible. The carving measures 24 by 20 centimetres and was created using a traditional pecking technique, with the marks reaching about 1.5 millimetres deep. As reported by China News officials, fewer than 20 chariot-themed rock paintings are known across the Helan Mountains, and all previously recorded examples depict two horses. The newly discovered four-horse scene therefore stands out as a rare find. It also gives researchers another way to explore ancient life, artistic traditions, and social development in northern China, while further study could help shed light on the carving’s historical context.
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