Playing Polo (Tang Dynasty)

Unearthed in 1971 from Prince Zhanghuai's Tomb in Qianxian County, Shaanxi Province. This scene was painted on the west wall of the tomb passage. Five players with mallets are galloping along the mountain valley to play polo. Trees and mountains are in the background. A very popular sports of the Tang Empire, polo was brought to China from ancient Persia. This painting is the earliest evidence of polo that has been found at the present time.