These colours were produced by adding layers of metallic element oxides and firing them at 750 to 800 degrees celsius.

[2] The leading pair are semi-human, winged and cloven and are designed to scare off any intruders into the tomb.

The camels were used as beasts of burden to carry goods around China and for import and export along the silk route.

[3] Liu Tingxun was a general and Imperial privy councillor who lived in the middle of the Tang dynasty.

[5] General Liu Tingxun's position and wealth is demonstrated not just from the ceramic figures but also from the obituary text that was reputedly found within the tomb.

The association of Liu Tingxun and this funerary text with the figures is based on an article written R.L.

[1] The figures unearthed in Liu's tomb are representative of a type which has been found in great numbers in urban areas of northwest China.