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Warring States crystal glass

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Warring States Crystal Glass
MaterialGlass
Height15.4 cm
Discovered1990
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Present locationChina

The Warring states crystal glass (戰國水晶杯 / 水晶杯) is an artifact found in a Warring States period mausoleum tomb, dated to just before 221 BCE in the Qin dynasty.

Dimensions[edit]

The glass measures 15.4 cm tall. It has a round opening and is transparent.[1] The glass is made from a natural high-quality crystal. The artifact is on the list of Chinese cultural relics forbidden to be exhibited abroad, a list of objects that can never leave Chinese soil.[1]

Discovery[edit]

In 1990, the glass was unearthed in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province during an archaeological dig. Specifically, it was found in Banshan town (半山鎮), Shitang village (石塘村) in a Warring states period mausoleum.[1] The item was found underground about one metre deep.[2] Du Zhengxian (杜正賢) insisted on the archaeological digging even when other archaeologists had already labeled that area of the village a worthless wasteland.[3] After two months of digging, he found the glass, along with other treasures. It became the biggest finding of the Warring states tombs.[3][4]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Chinese cultural heritage protection official web list (水晶杯 — crystal glass)". Wenbao.net. Retrieved 2010-05-01.[dead link]
  2. ^ "战国水晶杯" [Warring States Crystal Cup]. Retrieved May 1, 2010.[dead link]
  3. ^ a b "戰國水晶杯 引出千古謎" [Warring States Crystal Cup Leads to Eternal Mysteries]. Wen Wei Po. September 26, 2005. Retrieved May 1, 2010. The unearthing of the Warring States Crystal Cup, a priceless rare treasure, took a lot of effort from Du Zhengxian. … Presented at 2004 National Top Ten New Archaeological Discovery Selection Conference
  4. ^ "让城市文脉不断延伸——记市政协委员、市文物保护管理所所长杜正贤" [Let the urban context continue to extend - Du Zhengxian, member of the CPPCC and director of the Municipal Cultural Relics Protection and Management Office]. Hangzhou.gov. Retrieved 2010-05-01.[dead link]