It was discovered, in a tomb on Fanshan Hill, in 1986. Archaeologists identified the decoration on it as the legendary creature, a taotie. This was a common ancient motif, so initially it wasn’t thought to be of any great significance. However, later cleaning and photographing revealed something strange.
The narrow and seemingly unremarkable lines by the creature's eyes turned out to be hands, human hands. Following the disproportionately long arms, it led to a face. Evidently, this was no common taotie carving. In fact, it was identified as a rare, complete image of a god with the face of an animal.
The posture is intriguing. Elbows sticking out to the sides, fingers spread, the upper body hunched forward. Is this a god riding an animal? Or the incarnation of some sort of animal deity? Are they two different beings, or the same one, but with two faces?
