Archaeologists have found a large number of cliff carvings in the mountainous areas of the Alxa Right Banner in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Over 800 vivid and life-like pictures, depicting people and animals, as well as scenes of hunting, battles and sacrificial rites are carved or engraved on the rocks, dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Cliff carving was common in ancient China, and large pieces in the Helan Mountains, at the juncture of Ningxia Hui and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regions, and on cliffs along the Ancient Silk Road, are regarded as unique.

The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, once a nomadic area, alone is home to over 6,000 rock carvings by nomadic people going back 2,000 years.

Archaeologists said the latest discovery was of great historic, artistic and scientific value and the regional government would take prompt measures to protect the carvings.

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2003)