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Chinese archeologists excavated two ancient smoke-absorbing bronze lamps that are believed to be about 2,000 years old. Experts said the artifacts may have been the world's first eco-friendly lamps.

Archaeologists Discover 2,000-Year-Old Smoke Absorbing Lamps in Chinese Tomb

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Archaeologists in China have made a unique discovery in a cemetery dating to the Western Han Dynasty (221 – 206 BC) – two bronze lamps that could ‘swallow’ smoke.  Historians are hailing the discovery as the world’s first known ‘eco-friendly’ lamps.

“The lamps are both the shape of a goose catching a fish in its mouth. The light is attached to the fish. Smoke emitted during the burning of wax can enter the bird's body via an intake on the fish, travel through its neck and be dissolved by water stored in its hollow belly”, Xin Lixiang, who leads the excavation team, told Xinhua news agency.

While the Han Dynasty saw the increased production of Chinese bronze lamps, these are the first known smoke-absorbing designs, and most likely they belonged to elite members of society.

Lixiang told Xinhua news agency that the brightness of the lamp could be adjusted via swinging shades, and the components could be dismantled for cleaning.

"It is both an artwork and an example of ancient innovation," said Lixiang [via Xinhua].

The ancient eco-lamps were discovered in a tomb in Haihunhou cemetery near Nanchang in Jiangxi Province, which has been hailed as the most complete Western Han Dynasty cemetery ever discovered in China, covering more than 40,000 square meters of land and containing eight tombs. 

The tomb is believed to have belonged to Liu He, the grandson of Emperor Wu, considered the foremost ruler of the Han Dynasy. Liu He served as emperor in 74 BC for just 27 days before he was dethroned by the royal clan for apparently having loose morals and no talent.

A cave in Mogao shows a Western Han Dynasty cave mural of Emperor Wu, the greatest Han monarch during a prosperous era, worshiping Buddhas. His grandson Liu He was not so illustrious but was given a grand burial anyway.

A cave in Mogao shows a Western Han Dynasty cave mural of Emperor Wu, the greatest Han monarch during a prosperous era, worshiping Buddhas. His grandson Liu He was not so illustrious but was given a grand burial anyway. (Wikimedia Commons)
 

Thousands of other treasures have been found within the cemetery, including more than 10,000 gold, bronze and iron artifacts, wooden tablets, bamboo slips, jade relics, musical instruments, 10 tons of bronze coins, and a burial site for horses with their chariots.

Archaeologists found 10 tons of bronze coins in and around the tomb of a dethroned Chinese emperor of the first century BC.

Archaeologists found 10 tons of bronze coins in and around the tomb of a dethroned Chinese emperor of the first century BC. (Xinhua news photo)

Excavations at the site first began in 2011 and are still ongoing. The bronze lamps were unearthed in a recent dig at the cemetery just 2 months ago. Archaeologists believe there is still many artifacts yet to be unearthed.

Featured image: Chinese archeologists excavated two ancient smoke-absorbing bronze lamps that are believed to be about 2,000 years old. Experts said the artifacts may have been the world's first eco-friendly lamps. (Photo : Xinhua/Wan Xiang via Chinanews.

By April Holloway

 

Comments

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ancient-origins's picture

Many thanks, we have fixed the typo.

 

You misspelled the word "morals".

aprilholloway's picture

April

April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan.

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