This map of China painted in the 1980s was found intact amid the ruins of Beichuan High School which was destroyed in the May 12 Sichuan Earthquake. More than 1000 students lost their lives in the tragedy.

An intact map of China has been discovered on a wall among the ruins of the Beichuan High School which was destroyed by the May 12 Sichuan Earthquake with terrible loss of life. [Full coverage: 2008 Sichuan devastating earthquakes]

The map was painted on a ceramic-tile wall, about 2 meters long, 60 meters from the school gate.

Although surrounded by collapsed apartments and shattered concrete buildings, the map has somehow remained intact.

Beichuan High School was razed to the ground by the May 12 Sichuan Earthquake. More than 1000 of its pupils lost their lives in the tragedy.

"It is incredible that the map survived amid all this destruction," said Mr. Guo, who made the discovery.

The map was painted in the 1980s according to Mr. Tang Gaoping who used to teach at the school. "I think it would be a good idea to consider the map when it comes to planning an earthquake memorial," he suggested.

Beichuan High School was the scene of one of the most heart-rending tragedies of May 12. More than 1,000 of its students were killed in the quake.

The school has been transferred to a temporary site in Mianyang, a city about 70 kilometers from Beichuan. The construction of a permanent new home for the high school is under way and is expected to complete in 2010.

(China.org.cn by Zheng Xin, February 25, 2009)