A remarkable discovery has been made in a 2,000-year-old Han Dynasty tomb in China: a complex scale armor crafted from multiple materials, the first of its kind documented from this period. The find, announced on December 7th by the Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute, sheds light on the advanced craftsmanship and military technology of the era.
The tomb belonged to Liu He, a prince who briefly ruled as emperor of the Western Han Dynasty (202 BCE to 25 CE) before being deposed after a mere 27 days. Despite his short reign, he was later known as the Marquis of Haihun and buried in a well-preserved tomb discovered in Jiangxi Province in 2011. This latest discovery within the tomb offers a fascinating glimpse into the past.
Armor scales from the tombThe numbered armor scales provide valuable insights into Han Dynasty craftsmanship. © Jiangxi Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
Unearthing the Armor
Two years prior to the announcement, archaeologists unearthed a collection of armor scales, knives, and swords within the tomb’s armory room. The presence of lacquer residue suggested the armor had been stored in lacquer-coated boxes that had since disintegrated. The tomb’s location near Poyang Lake, subjected to earthquakes and rising groundwater, contributed to the fragile state of the artifacts.
Meticulous Restoration
Over two years, a team of researchers painstakingly extracted and restored approximately 6,000 armor scales. This meticulous process involved experts from the Jiangxi Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and other institutions. The scales were then transported to a laboratory for further analysis.
Unique Characteristics
The armor’s unique features lie in its scale size and material composition. Typical Han Dynasty armor scales range from 0.39 to 3.94 inches (4 to 10 centimeters) in width. The smaller the scales, the more complex and skill-intensive the armor construction. The scales found in the Marquis of Haihun’s tomb measure a mere 0.39 inches (1 centimeter) wide and 0.08 inches (0.2 centimeters) thick, making them the smallest documented examples from the Han Dynasty.
Furthermore, the armor is constructed from a combination of iron, copper, and leather. This is a significant departure from the typical single-material construction of Han Dynasty armor, making this discovery truly exceptional.
A Symbol of Status and Craftsmanship
This intricate multi-material armor stands as a testament to the advanced craftsmanship and military technology of the Han Dynasty. It provides valuable insights into armor production techniques of the time and suggests a high level of skill and artistry. While Liu He’s reign was short-lived, the elaborate armor found in his tomb hints at the status and honor he retained even after his deposition.
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