China’s top archaeological finds: from lost civilisation and terracotta army to world’s oldest noodles
- Artworks unearthed Sichuan point to the existence of a previously unknown civilisation – the latest in a series of discoveries that shed new light on the past
- Previous finds range from the tomb of the first emperor to early examples of food and drink
Chinese archaeologists recently unveiled a series of ancient artefacts that pointed to the existence of a highly sophisticated civilisation that has since vanished from the historical record.
While the new discoveries have amazed many, the country is already home to 55 Unesco World Heritage Sites. The discoveries made over the past few decades have ranged from the celebrated terracotta army to some of the world’s earliest examples of men’s face cream and noodles – and even a 1,200-year-old divorce agreement.
03:06
Archaeologists find treasures from mystery civilisation that could rewrite Chinese history
Here are some of the most remarkable discoveries.
Terracotta army
When the emperor Qin Shi Huang died in 210BC, he was buried with an army of over 8,000 warriors and horses made from terracotta to protect him in his afterlife.
Ancient historian Sima Qian said it took 700,000 men 40 years to build the mausoleum which covers over 50 square kilometres.
Earliest form of Chinese writing
It is the first Chinese dynasty for which archaeological evidence exists, including bronze objects that are celebrated for their quality and craftsmanship.
The 30 sq km archaeological site includes a number of palaces and burial grounds where elaborate offerings such as chariots and bronze ceramics have been unearthed as well as oracle scripts carved on bones, the earliest form of Chinese writing.
A museum at the site is set to open by the end of next year, where jade and bronze wares will go on display alongside the oracle bone scripts, the state news agency Xinhua reported.
World’s oldest bowl of noodles
In 2005, scientists uncovered a 4,000-year-old bowl of noodles that had been covered by flood sediment after a major earthquake in the northwestern province of Qinghai.
The discovery at the Lajia site is the oldest known version of the dish and could be proof that the Chinese were the first people to make noodles.
2,000-year-old liquor
In 2018, archaeologists poured 3.5 litres of a pale yellow liquid from a bronze pot and found that it smelled like wine.
It is not known what the drink was made from, but it was found in a tomb in Luoyang of central Henan province, a city that served as the capital of 13 ancient dynasties.
The tomb also contained bronze artefacts, including a lamp in the shape of a wild goose, along with other bronze artefacts and many painted clay pots.
Divorce agreement from the Tang dynasty
A couple from the Tang dynasty, which ruled between 618 and 907, decided to break up and their agreement was found in a cave of Dunhuang in northwest Gansu province some 1,000 years later.
According to a report by People‘s Daily, the “agreement on letting the wife go” read: “Since the couple thinks differently, they can hardly tie the lover’s knot. Under these circumstances, it’d be better for them to go to their respective relatives and return to their original ways of life.
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Ancient bronze carriage unearthed in China hints at lavish ceremonies held 2,800 years ago
“The man said: ‘I wish that you, my wife, after our divorce, will comb your beautiful hair again and paint your pretty eyebrows, and thus present your gracefulness and marry a man of high social status. Then we will put an end to our enmity and stop resenting each other. Henceforth, we will feel relaxed after separating and will enjoy happiness’.”
Oldest male-use cosmetics
In 2017, the team discovered the cream in the grave of a nobleman from the Spring and Autumn period (771 – 476BC), a largely feudal time that paved the way for the Warring States era.
The scientists concluded that the six grams of residue found in the Liujiawa archaeological site in the northwest province of Shaanxi was made of ruminant fat mixed with monohydrocalcite, a mineral formed by calcium carbonate and water.
