Ancient mirrors for the underworld found in China
Chinese archaeologists excavating in Shaanxi Province have found about 80 bronze mirrors. They were found on the territory of a large necropolis. The age of the artifacts was estimated at 2,000 years, according to Xinhua.
The necropolis has over 400 tombs and belongs to the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC – 25 AD). Previously, scientists have already found there collections of bronze items and ceramics.
Bronze mirrors with a diameter of 8 to 22 centimeters, according to experts, were made between the late Warring States period (475-221 BC) and the decline of the Western Han Dynasty. They are perfectly preserved – so, in one of them, we managed to see a clear reflection.
Most of the mirrors were located at the head of the people buried in the necropolis. They were accompanied by inscriptions that spoke of the hope for a better life. Mirrors were found in both female and male graves. Scientists suggested that these artifacts were part of a funeral ritual and helped the soul of the deceased find its way to another world.
The ancient tombs are believed by the researchers to have belonged to the upper class. About four kilometers from the necropolis, according to historical records, there were elite residences, arranged by order of the founder of the Han dynasty, Liu Bang (206 BC-220 AD). He believed that if the aristocrats began to live in one place, it would be easier to control them. In addition, the residents of the residences were engaged in the construction and maintenance of the imperial mausoleum.
Earlier it was reported that a gold mask was found in China. Her age was estimated at 3000 years.
