Expedition uncovers Ming dynasty cave temple in SW China  

瀘州深山藏明代石窟寺 古墓穴群存古夷人遺跡(圖)

位于原始森林中的瀘州市古藺縣桂花鄉，藏著外人少有耳聞的歷史故事。日前，古藺縣政府在對該鄉的文物進行普查時，發現了一處保存完好的石窟寺，該文物始建于明朝嘉靖十二年，距今已有481年的歷史。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- A 481-year-old cave temple was discovered in Sichuan's Luzhou city during an archaeological exploration, the West China City Daily reported.

The temple is hidden on a mountain cliff amid primeval forests in Gulin county. Inscriptions on a stone suggest the temple dates back to the Jiajing Emperor period (1507-1567) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) or even earlier.

Xu Ting, a staff member of the county government, told the newspaper that the temple is well-preserved, and that the color of statues in three caves still remain surprisingly bright.

Archaeologists also found traces of ancient habitation. A tomb with human bones was discovered 200 meters from the temple.

Carved patterns on a stone door next to the tomb promise high ethnic and cultural value.