Video: The mysterious 2,500-year-old Goujian sword that still looks like new today
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
In 1965, archaeologists discovered an ancient sword in China that was different from any previously found. This unique ancient weapon is supposed to be about 2500 years old, and what is even more exciting - at the time of its discovery there was not a single speck of rust on it and the sword was sharp … after millennia.
This truly unique archaeological artifact, known as the "Sword of Goujian", was discovered in one of more than 50 ancient tombs that were found during archaeological excavations in the Chinese province of Hubei. In addition to a perfectly preserved bronze sword, researchers have also discovered over 2,000 artifacts in these tombs.
"Goujian" was found in the tomb in an almost airtight wooden box next to the skeleton. When it was taken out of the box, it turned out that there was not even the slightest speck on the blade, despite the fact that the sword had been in wet conditions for more than two millennia. Archaeologists immediately decided to test its sharpness, and it turned out that the blade could easily cut a stack of twenty sheets of paper.
Archaeologists believe this stunning sword is made of copper, tin, and a small amount of iron. Currently, "Goujian" is considered a national treasure of China during the "era of spring and autumn" (from 770 to 403 BC).
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Named after the Annals of Spring and Autumn attributed to Confucius, the “era of spring and autumn,” also called the “Chunqiu period,” is one of the most turbulent periods in ancient Chinese history. During this time, there were a huge number of conflicts between powerful nobles who fought for supremacy. This naturally led to the production of many fine, high-quality bronze weapons during those centuries, one of the most prominent examples of which is the Goujian sword.
The sword is rather small - its length is 56 cm, the width of the blade is 4.5 cm, and the length of the handle is 8, 4 cm. At the same time, the handle is beautifully decorated with turquoise stones. On the blade at the handle are engraved eight symbols in ancient Chinese writing, which translate: "The sword belongs to Goujian, the ruler of the kingdom of Yue."
Gujian, the son of a Wang (ruler) named Yunchang, who ruled the kingdom of Yue (south of present-day Zhejiang province) during the "era of spring and autumn", is considered by many to be one of the most famous emperors in Chinese history.
As mentioned above, during the Chunqiu period, a large number of conflicts took place. One of them (between the kingdoms of Yue and Wu) is said to have left a permanent mark on history. Wang Goujian defeated Wu's army in the first battle, back in 496 BC, but just a year later, Yue was defeated, and Goujian and his wife were captured. They were kept alive in 490 BC. released. Upon arriving home, Wang Gujian began making plans for revenge. It took him ten years to prepare his army to attack the capital of Wu. Goujian is said to have used the famous sword to defeat the Wu kingdom in the last major conflict during the spring and fall era, and eventually managed to conquer Wu.
Today, the sword is on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum along with many other impressive artifacts. There is no doubt that this high quality bronze sword is of great historical importance not only to China but to the rest of the world. In addition, historians and researchers are still trying to figure out how the sword remained intact and sharp for such a long time.
China knows how to surprise even today. What is it worth a huge "ghost town", which has everything except the inhabitants.
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