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Archeologists unearth ancient bronze pot containing alcohol from Han dynasty
People's Daily Online ^
| Friday, September 18, 2020
| editors
Posted on 09/20/2020 8:19:18 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
After testing, Chinese researchers have confirmed that the 3,000 ml of unknown liquid found in a bronze pot unearthed in central China's Henan province is alcohol dating to the early Western Han dynasty (206 B.C. - A.D. 24).
In a tomb in the city of Sanmenxia, archaeologists discovered the pot with a curved neck in the shape of a swan this May.
Researchers from the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) also found that the alcohol was similar to the medicinal liquor recorded in an ancient medical book discovered in the Mawangdui Tombs of the Han Dynasty in Changsha, central China's Hunan province.
Testing will continue, including a nitrogen isotopic analysis, to obtain more information on raw materials, production processes and functions of the ancient alcohol, according to Yang Yimin, a professor with the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology University under the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
"A bronze pot of this kind is rarely seen. The test report from the sample indicates that the pot was used to hold alcohol," said Zheng Lichao, head of Sanmenxia's Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.
From the tomb, a bronze mirror, a bronze basin and swords made of iron and jade were also unearthed by archaeologists.
(Excerpt) Read more at en.people.cn ...
TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: godsgravesglyphs; handynasty; oenology; zymurgy
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1
posted on
09/20/2020 8:19:18 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; 31R1O; ...
Often in the past, China was split up, ruled by a bunch of different dynasties, with the borders more or less along ethnic lines. But I think the Han was a solo dynasty. What's that, in the distance? Was that -- a rimshot?
2
posted on
09/20/2020 8:21:02 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
To: SunkenCiv
>>found that the alcohol was similar to the medicinal liquor recorded in an ancient medical book discovered in the Mawangdui
3
posted on
09/20/2020 8:23:38 AM PDT
by
a fool in paradise
(Joe Biden- "First thing I'd do is repeal those Trump tax cuts." (May 4th, 2019))
To: SunkenCiv
Beautiful!
Swan drwan booze tastes the best
To: SunkenCiv
You have to get those nitrogen isotypes just right.
5
posted on
09/20/2020 8:36:11 AM PDT
by
ComputerGuy
(Heavily-medicated for your protection)
To: SunkenCiv
That pot must have an air-tight seal.
6
posted on
09/20/2020 8:36:18 AM PDT
by
Savage Beast
(Sleazy Democrat operatives are whispering into Biden's ear. Trump hears the voices of the Angels.)
To: Savage Beast
7
posted on
09/20/2020 8:42:59 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
To: a fool in paradise
Her vision was twice as good as before, because she saw everything double!
8
posted on
09/20/2020 8:44:33 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
To: CharleysPride
It seems like a good marketing idea for a modern product in China. Or among ornithologists.
9
posted on
09/20/2020 8:46:40 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
To: ComputerGuy
If they're right, they're great for a perfectly mixed 7-7-7.
10
posted on
09/20/2020 8:49:07 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
To: SunkenCiv
Did anyone taste it? Any better than the moonshiner’s booze?
To: SunkenCiv
Alcohol and bronze?
I suspect that the alcohol would react to the bronze, at least until a patina was formed over the metal.
12
posted on
09/20/2020 9:07:45 AM PDT
by
texas booster
(Join FreeRepublic's Folding@Home team (Team # 36120) Cure Alzheimer's!)
To: SunkenCiv
As volatile as ethanol is, that pot had to be well sealed for any trace of "alcohol" to have survived.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Is the actual opening of the "pot" where that ring around the neck is?
And, was the curved "neck" a tight-fitting plug that sealed that opening?
If so, I can see how a tight metal-to-metal press fit -- enhanced by a thin layer of corrosion filling any gap -- might have made an effective seal...
TXnMA
13
posted on
09/20/2020 9:14:01 AM PDT
by
TXnMA
(Democrat Party's sole 2020 platform plank: HATRED...)
To: SunkenCiv
Probably from one of those ancient swan dives.
To: SunkenCiv
If he can get rid of the Emperor and Darth Vader, he can get his dynasty started.
15
posted on
09/20/2020 9:21:10 AM PDT
by
deoetdoctrinae
(Become a monthly donor and stamp out FReepathons.)
To: SunkenCiv
16
posted on
09/20/2020 9:25:55 AM PDT
by
smokingfrog
( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
To: SunkenCiv
17
posted on
09/20/2020 9:28:44 AM PDT
by
Noumenon
("It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged." - GK Chesterton)
To: a fool in paradise; CharleysPride; ComputerGuy; Savage Beast; Blue Highway; texas booster; TXnMA; ..
18
posted on
09/20/2020 10:33:46 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
To: Larry Lucido
We hadn't seen that spirit here since AD 29.
19
posted on
09/20/2020 10:34:47 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
To: smokingfrog
Now, if they can find some Han Dynasty beer, they'll be able to enjoy a one-of-a-kind boilermaker.
20
posted on
09/20/2020 10:36:00 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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