In 1996, when a group of Chinese construction workers stumbled across a pit of broken Buddhist sculptures in school playing fields in Qingzhou, Shandong province, no one expected that they had discovered one of the most exquisite collections of Buddhist art from China.
The pit held 200 mostly intact torsos, 144 Buddha heads and 46 bodhisattva heads plus fragments from another 320 sculptures.
The pieces in the pit were laid east to west, with the best preserved items of limestone, white marble and granite carefully laid out in the middle and the more damaged pieces of carved wood, cast iron and pottery distributed around.
Reed mats carefully divided the layers and coins were scattered over the site indicating they were buried with some ceremony.
The pit held 200 mostly intact torsos, 144 Buddha heads and 46 bodhisattva heads plus fragments from another 320 sculptures.
The pieces in the pit were laid east to west, with the best preserved items of limestone, white marble and granite carefully laid out in the middle and the more damaged pieces of carved wood, cast iron and pottery distributed around.
Reed mats carefully divided the layers and coins were scattered over the site indicating they were buried with some ceremony.
Although the exact reason behind the burial site is not yet understood, it is thought the pit was part of the consecrated grounds of an ancient Buddhist temple, the Longxing Temple, originally known as the Buddha Hall but now long destroyed.
The sculptures are thought to date from the sixth century AD but buried around the twelfth century. Since excavated however they have become recognised for their distinctive character, exquisite beauty and rich detailing.
Thirty five of the best preserved sculptures will be on display at the New South Wales Art Gallery from August to November under the title ‘The Lost Buddhas’.
