With the belief in providing a fulfilled life in the “afterlife,” many gold, silver, jewelry, treasures, and artifacts have been found as burial goods in ancient tombs. However, during the excavation of these ancient tombs, there is one issue that leaves experts and archaeologists scratching their heads. That is how to protect the cultural relics found in these ancient tombs.
Typically, artifacts such as ceramic vases, gold, and silver urns are not prone to oxidation and can remain intact after thousands of years. However, other artifacts do not share this resilience. If not properly protected, these artifacts can be damaged due to oxidation or other environmental factors.
The process of excavating ancient tombs is fraught with challenges as experts face artifacts that are very susceptible to damage.
The burial items reflect the beliefs or lifestyles of ancient people. For instance, finding chicken eggs in a tomb indicates that the deceased may have enjoyed eating eggs and maintained this preference even after death. This is also a sign of wealth and the extraordinary status of the tomb’s owner.
A chicken egg found in an ancient tomb dating back 2,500 years in Liyang County, Jiangsu Province in March 2019.
However, when chicken eggs are discovered in ancient tombs that are thousands of years old, archaeologists will absolutely not touch them to avoid damaging this artifact. Even using the softest brush to make contact could cause the egg shell to crumble due to being buried underground for hundreds of years. Instead, experts will employ X-ray methods to determine the quantity. Particularly, through DNA testing, researchers can ascertain whether the eggs found in the tomb have been salted or not.
In addition to chicken eggs, there are two colorful items that archaeologists will also avoid touching right after discovering them in ancient tombs.
The murals in ancient tombs reveal valuable information about the tomb’s owner and the culture and customs of that era.
The first is murals. These are large paintings created on the walls, partitions, or ceilings. During the excavation of ancient tombs, archaeologists often discover murals. These murals are carved or painted onto the walls of the tomb.
Many murals can still maintain their original state with vibrant colors and drawings thanks to the stable environment inside ancient tombs. However, once the tomb is opened, due to oxidation, these valuable murals can be damaged or turn black in an instant.
Silk is a relic that is very easy to damage during the excavation of ancient tombs.
The second is silk. In fact, silk was considered a luxury and rare commodity in ancient times. This product was even used to name the “Silk Road,” a famous trade route connecting the East and the West. Due to its rarity, silk is seldom found in ancient tombs, as it is very susceptible to destruction.
According to archaeologists, the reason silk in ancient tombs is prone to damage is similar to that of the murals. Specifically, under the influence of oxidation, merely touching these precious fabrics can cause significant damage.
The reason archaeologists in China do not dare to touch the silk partially stems from lessons learned from the past. During the years 1956 – 1958, when excavating the Ming Dynasty’s Tomb of the Ming Emperor Wanli, although many rare artifacts were found, including silk, the archaeological methods at that time were still rudimentary and the material conditions were lacking. As a result, some of the cultural relics discovered in this tomb were severely damaged.
Initially, the silk pieces in this tomb were exquisite and splendid. However, due to sudden environmental changes, these treasures began to mold, and even a light touch could cause damage. This was truly a significant loss for the archaeological community.
