[Photo/Xinhua]

Archaeologists in central China's Hunan province said Monday that they had recently discovered an ancient tomb, with a fresco depicting two maids, that could date back over 1,400 years.

Luo Shengqiang, an expert with the city's cultural relic department, said that based on funerary items found in the 14-meter long and 2-meter wide tomb, in a village under Suxian District of Chenzhou City, it was believed to be built in the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-581).

In clean and smooth lines, the colored fresco on the tomb wall depicts two maids standing wearing similar long skirts and coats with open collars exposing their shoulders.

"This is the oldest fresco tomb discovered in Hunan. It is rare to see in southern China," said Luo, adding that the fresco could contribute to the study of China's clothing history.