Chinese Archaeologists Unearth 2,400-year-old Soup
Created: Dec 14 2010
Chinese state media reports that a team of archaeologists dug up a bronze pot of left-over soup on Saturday that’s 2,400 years old. The pot was found in a tomb dating back to the Warring States Period which started in 475 BC. The tomb was being excavated for the expansion of an airport near Xi'an, the ancient capital home to the famous terracotta warriors.
The bronze tripod vessel, measuring about eight inches tall and nearly 10 inches in diameter, was found sealed. The liquid and bones inside had turned green as a result of oxidation of the bronze.
Archaeologists took samples to identify the ingredients to figure out which animals the bones belonged to, and to confirm the liquid is actually soup.
If it’s indeed soup, it would be the first of such discovery in China.
[Liu Daiyun, Archaeologist, Shaanxi Province Institute of Archaeology]:
The bronze tripod vessel, measuring about eight inches tall and nearly 10 inches in diameter, was found sealed. The liquid and bones inside had turned green as a result of oxidation of the bronze.
Archaeologists took samples to identify the ingredients to figure out which animals the bones belonged to, and to confirm the liquid is actually soup.
If it’s indeed soup, it would be the first of such discovery in China.
[Liu Daiyun, Archaeologist, Shaanxi Province Institute of Archaeology]:
"It's the earliest-known discovery of its kind in Shaanxi Province. There isn't any report on similar archaeological findings that are earlier than this in the nation."
The tomb is believed to be the home of either a member of the landowning class or a low-ranking military officer of the Warring States period.
In the same tomb, archaeologists also unearthed a bronze pot that contained an odorless liquid that the team believed to be ancient wine.
Xi'an is one of China's oldest cities and has a rich historical heritage. With more than three thousand years of history, it was the country's capital for over 1,100 years.
The tomb is believed to be the home of either a member of the landowning class or a low-ranking military officer of the Warring States period.
In the same tomb, archaeologists also unearthed a bronze pot that contained an odorless liquid that the team believed to be ancient wine.
Xi'an is one of China's oldest cities and has a rich historical heritage. With more than three thousand years of history, it was the country's capital for over 1,100 years.
