This sword has left the scientific and archaeological community in awe. After more than 2,400 years, this treasure remains rust-free and incredibly sharp.
This sword is an artifact belonging to King Goujian of Yue (reigned from 496 BC – 465 BC). He was a vassal king during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history.
King Goujian of Yue is famous for the idiom “tasting honey while lying on thorns.” This idiom refers to his practice of sleeping on thorns and tasting the bitterness of honey daily so that he would never forget the humiliation of surrendering to the Wu army. Ultimately, after enduring hardship, he defeated the state of Wu and avenged his nation.
The legendary life of King Goujian of Yue also captivates future generations because he possessed a treasure considered “the finest in the world.” This sword is over 2,400 years old (at the time of its discovery).
The sword of King Goujian of Yue astonishes archaeologists.
In 1965, in Jingzhou, Hubei Province (China), during the excavation of a tomb over 2,400 years old, archaeologists were amazed to discover a sword in its original scabbard placed beside the skeleton of the tomb’s owner. When experts drew the sword from its sheath, everyone was stunned. The bronze sword was still shiny and intact, showing no signs of rust.
After being removed from the ancient tomb, an archaeologist accidentally cut his hand on the blade of the 2,400-year-old sword. To test the sword’s sharpness, archaeologists stacked 16 sheets of paper on top of each other. The result surprised many as the sword sliced through the stack of paper with a single stroke.
Due to the sword’s remarkable preservation and sharpness after more than 2,400 years in the ancient tomb, many experts debated the secret that helped protect this artifact. Most bronze weapons from the same era that have been excavated show signs of rust and are no longer in their original form.
What is the reason this ancient sword remains intact and sharp after over 2,400 years?
Eight characters inscribed on the sword reveal its owner is King Goujian of Yue.
The reason archaeologists and researchers know that the sword belongs to King Goujian of Yue is due to eight characters inscribed on the sword. These read “Sword made by King Goujian of Yue.” The inscription is in Bird Seal script. The sword is primarily made of bronze, measuring 56 cm in length and 4.6 cm in width. Notably, the hilt is inlaid with blue glass, an ancient gemstone. The bottom of the hilt features 11 concentric circles.
This sword was the weapon of a king, so every detail is crafted with great precision.
After using machinery to analyze the components of the 2,400-year-old sword, researchers found it was made from a copper-tin alloy with few impurities. Remarkably, the craftsmen demonstrated masterful skill in creating a sophisticated method for alloying metals, casting, and forging the sword.
The blade remains incredibly sharp despite being buried for over 2,400 years.
Experts believe that the reason King Goujian’s sword did not rust is due to three layers of protective oxidation resistance.
- Firstly, the black lacquer on the sword’s sheath. According to scientists, lacquer provides waterproofing, heat resistance, and protection against wood-boring insects. This lacquer layer serves as the first protective barrier for Goujian’s sword.
- Secondly, the coffin. Scientists indicate that the outside of the coffin is wrapped in white clay, which helps prevent outside air from entering.
- Thirdly, the entire tomb fortuitously settled below the water table, forming a third layer of protection.
These three layers of protection against oxygen intrusion created a stable environment that helped King Goujian’s sword avoid rusting after more than 2,400 years.
Why is King Goujian’s sword found in the State of Chu?
The sword of King Goujian of Yue is currently displayed at the Hubei Provincial Museum, (China).
The sword of King Goujian of Yue was discovered in a tomb characterized by typical features of the State of Chu. The tomb’s owner was of noble lineage, living around the mid-Warring States period. The sword was found as a treasured possession buried within this individual’s coffin.
This raises questions since King Goujian ruled over what is now Zhejiang Province. Why was his valuable sword found in Hubei Province, which was part of the State of Chu in ancient times?
Experts and researchers also debate the unusual appearance of the sword. Some suggest that the sword ended up in the State of Chu due to a political marriage. It is believed that the king of Chu once married Goujian’s daughter as a concubine. Thus, it is possible that Goujian gifted this precious sword to his daughter as a dowry, which subsequently belonged to a member of the Chu royal family.
However, some researchers argue that Goujian’s valuable sword could have been a war trophy captured by the people of Chu during the Warring States period.
The sword of Goujian is now one of the most valuable treasures preserved and displayed at the Hubei Provincial Museum (China).
The sword has previously been exhibited overseas. However, since 2014, it has been placed on the list of Chinese artifacts prohibited from being exported.
