Archaeologists have announced the discovery of one of the oldest gold objects ever found in the central
The find is a gold itemabout 18 cm long and 14 cm wide. Most of the ancient treasures that archaeologists have previously found in this region were made of bronze and jade. Therefore, researchers associate the mask with other early Chinese states, where gold was more common.
Tomb of a nobleman in whichdiscovery, refers to the Shang Dynasty, which ruled the Yellow River Valley from about 1600 BC. until 1046 BC They are considered the oldest ruling family in China. In a huge room with an area of more than 10 thousand m², archaeologists also found more than 200 other artifacts. Among them, for example, daggers, axes, wine vessels, smoking pipes and goblets made of bronze and jade.
Archaeologists believe that the golden mask couldsymbolize the “imperishable precious body” of the deceased and were probably intended to preserve the integrity of the spirit of the deceased. The mask had detailed facial features, but archaeologists said it was attached to a wooden post or mannequin rather than to an actual dead body. Such masks and other gold artifacts are commonly found in burials of other dynasties, but are rare among the Shang.
The researchers believe that by studying the find, including the gold from which it is made and the technology, they will be able to learn more about the history of ancient China.
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