3 Surprising Facts About Chinese Artifacts

Everyone loves fancy artifacts. Their beauty and complexity create a sense of wonder and awe, especially if the item is thousands of years old.

What could be more interesting than Chinese artifacts? They’re fun to look at and are thought-provoking when you learn more about them.

Chinese relics are as rich as they are vague. The more you know about the past, the more enjoyable Chinese art becomes.

Here are a few surprising facts about Chinese artifacts to help fill in the blanks.

1. Ancient Astronomical Devices

One of the many amazing things about ancient chinese artifacts is a find that makes us question what we thought we knew about ancient astronomy. Most people have heard of the “Antikythera mechanism,” a machine the Greeks used to figure out things about the stars. But in 2006, experts showed off the “Liu Xiang” star chart, an amazing Chinese artifact from over 2,000 years ago.

From the Western Han Dynasty, this intricately carved wooden board shows constellations and markings that match sky measurements. The accuracy and complexity of the Liu Xiang star chart show that ancient Chinese astronomers were also good at making advanced astronomical tools, which shows how well they understood the universe.

2. Precursors to Paper Money

Even though paper money is often thought to have been invented in China during the Tang Dynasty (7th century AD), an amazing find in 2015 showed that there was an older form of money in China. Chinese archaeologists found an amazing stash of over 600 items called “jiaochao” () in an old tomb in the province of Shaanxi.

During the Western Han Dynasty (about 206 BC to 9 AD), these rectangular pieces of white deerskin or sheepskin were likely used as money. They were stamped with government seals and numbers, showing they were used as money.

The fact that these jiaochao exist shows that China may have tried out ideas for paper money before it was made official. This changes how we think about early economic practices and monetary systems.

3. Ancient Pottery Techniques

The beauty and skill of Chinese pottery are known worldwide, but this old art form also has a surprising amount of innovation hidden beneath the surface. The “Chu silk painting pottery” from the Western Han Dynasty is one of the most interesting things that have been found.

The artists put elaborate, colorful paintings on these pieces of pottery, but what makes them stand out is their amazing method. Instead of painting the designs directly onto the surface of the pottery, the artists would first make them on fine silk and then move them to the ceramic, leaving a beautiful, detailed picture. This clever way of decorating shows how creative and skilled ancient Chinese potters were.

Discover the Enigmatic Charms of Chinese Artifacts

China’s beautiful and intricate artifacts testify to its centuries-old culture and history. Chinese artifacts span several categories, from bronze sculptures to hand-painted pottery, lending themselves to an intriguing array of surprising facts and discoveries.

Chinese artifacts, from the Terracotta Army to the Hetian Nephrite, are truly fascinating. Through learning about them, one can gain an appreciation for Chinese culture and history.

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