○ Title: Astana Tombs – A House of Eternity

   ○ Date: July 16, 2022 ~

   ○ Venue: Central Asia Gallery, Permanent
                  Exhibition Hall

   ○ Exhibits: 31 Items, 85 Pieces Including
                    the Painting of Fuxi and Nüwa


The Astana tombs (阿斯塔那古墳) are located 35 kilometers southeast of Turpan City in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, close to the ruins of the ancient city of Gaochang (高昌故城). These tombs were constructed as a cemetery for the ruling class starting around the 3rd century and continuing through the late 8th century. Over 400 tombs have been discovered to date. The early 20th century expeditions headed by the Western powers to the Silk Road and numerous excavations conducted by the Xinjiang Museum in China since 1959 led to a discovery of a wide variety of tomb furnishings in very good condition, including paintings of Fuxi and Nüwa, figurines, pottery, and documents.

This exhibition aims to present the research results on 85 artifacts excavated from the Astana tombs that had been collected by the Otani (大谷) expedition in the early 20th century and currently housed at the National Museum of Korea. 

The pottery vessels and wooden trays used as funerary objects were identified as a set based on the data available at the time of their acquisition. A figurine of warrior riding a horse has been restored by rejoining fragments. The methods used in its production have been analyzed through a CT scan.

The displayed objects arranged according to the layout of a tomb well demonstrate the characteristics of Astana tombs built and adorned as a home for eternity. we hope that this exhibition will provide an opportunity to appreciate and better understand the wishes of the people of the time for a sustained life after death.