A group of archeologists unearthed two smoke-absorbing lamps made of bronze, which are both believed to be about 2,000 years old, in east China's Jiangxi Province. With this discovery, experts suggested that ancient Chinese lamp-makers may have created the world's first eco-friendly lamps.
Archeologists excavated a cemetery that was used during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC to 24 AD) and is a notable site for excavations. They found two lamps that were both shaped like a goose with a fish in its mouth, and in the mouth is the light. Smoke coming out from burning wax entered the goose's body through the fish and traveled to the neck and to the hollow belly. The water stored in this part of the lamp dissolved the smoke.
"It is both an artwork and an example of ancient innovation," said Xin Lixiang, lead archeologist of the excavation team. He said the lamps can be pulled apart for cleaning. These lamps also have swinging lamp shades to adjust the illumination.
The Western Han Dynasty was the first to come up with Chinese bronze lamps, but experts said only the high nobles would have been able to afford these smoke-absorbing lamps.
The goose-shaped lamps were discovered in September in the tomb of Liu He, the Haihunhou or the Marquis of Haihun. Liu was the grandson of Emperor Wu, the most famed ruler of the Han Dynasty. Liu was given the title Haihunhou after he was overthrown as emperor after 27 days. Apparently, the man had a lack of talent and morals, experts said. His tomb is located near the provincial capital Nanchang.
After a five-year research on these tombs, the archaeologists said the Hainhunhou tomb is the best and most-preserved tomb of the Western Han Dynasty in China. Experts said the cemetery had the most complete structure and ritual system, as well as the clearest ritual layout.
The Hainhunhou cemetery covers about 40,000 square meters of land and contains eight tombs. It also has a burial site for horses that used to pull chariots.
Excavations in the site started in 2011, and are still ongoing. Thousands of artifacts with high artistic and historic value have been excavated. Some of these artifacts include 3,000 bamboo slips and wooden tablets, as well as a large number of gold, bronze and jade items.
