Warring States Crystal Glass | |
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Material | Glass |
Height | 15.4 cm |
Discovered | 1990 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China |
Present location | China |
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.
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]
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]
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