The BMA's 39-piece mortuary retinue is remarkable for reflecting the ethnic diversity of China along the Silk Road in its 22 foot soldiers, merchants, court attendants, civil and military officials, and a protective guardian. Few such groups have survived intact to accurately represent the large number of figures, animals, vessels, and other less permanent articles that were commonly buried for a proper and public display of filial piety, as well as for the comfort of the deceased in the afterlife. A tomb dating to 657 in Shaanxi Province contained figures similar to some of these.