Posted on 01/16/2008 2:55:11 PM PST by blam
2,500-year-old sword excavated from tomb
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-16 20:55
Nanchang -- Chinese archaeologists have discovered an elaborately-made sword, which they believe is 2,500 to 2,600 years old, in an ancient tomb in the eastern province of Jiangxi.
A 2500-year-old sword is displayed. This sword was unearthed in an ancient tomb in East China's Jiangxi Prvovince. [Sina.com]
"It is reckoned as the oldest ever excavated in the country," said Xu Changqing, chief of the excavation team.
The well-preserved sword, some 50 centimeters long, is black, gold and bright red. "A dragon pattern was carved on both ends of the scabbard, and the middle part of the scabbard was decorated with two rows of a W-shaped design," said Xu.
Xu and his colleagues have dubbed it the "First Sword under Heaven" in keeping with other two heritage pieces called "First Mat under Heaven" and "First Fan under Heaven", both of which were unearthed from the same tomb.
Since the start of excavation work last January, at least 1,000 relics have been found in the ancient tomb, which was built in the late Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC). The findings include 47 coffins. The archaeologists are studying the valuable artifacts in hopes of discovering who was buried there and what the relics reveal about the funerary culture of the period.
GGG Ping.
“Heroes” ?????? :)
Sweet. I could kill a lot of Horde with that.
Ilthbran
69 Rogue
Duskwood
What is it made off, do you think? The article didn’t seem to mention. Certainly looks new, not old.
Bronze.
Excaribur!
Made in China
Sorry, level 70 epic, nub. QQ.
Much like a Freeper’s 1911 Colt, they apparently had to pry this sword from his cold, dead fingers.
“Sorry, level 70 epic, nub. QQ.”
Bah!....I’m almost there myself.....
Not obsidian?
How many hoards in a platoon?
That’s hardly a machete.
About a bazillion-million last time i checked.
If it’s bronze it could be the work of those who outfitted the warriors of Troy.
There was a story about some Marines in Korea who had been told by their platoon sergeant that they were about to be attacked by a Chinese hoard. One of the privates asked = Sarge, how man hoards are in a platoon=. So I had to ask. God bless a combat soldier.
Oooohhhh pretty!
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