An Archaeological Surprise in a Millennia-Old Tomb
In 1965, an archaeological dig at a tomb in in Hubei, China, discovered a 2600-year-old bronze sword of a type known as the jian. Found sheathed in a wooden scabbard, the blade when unsheathed turned out to be untarnished, and was remarkable for how well preserved and sharp it was, despite its age. A test conducted by archaeologists showed that the blade could effortlessly cut through a stack of twenty sheets of paper. Inscribed on the blade were characters that stated: “The king of Yue made this sword for his personal use“. As a result, it was named the Goujian Sword, after a historic king of Yue named Goujian, famous for his perseverance in the face of adversity.
The sword’s excellent condition astonished observers. Not only because it was millennia old, but also because of the condition of the tomb in which it was found: the sword had lain immersed in underground water for about 2000 years. Chinese jian swords are straight and double-edged, and typically feature a guard in the shape of a stingray. Their grips are usually made of fluted wood or covered in ray skin. Their handles feature a pommel for balance, to trap or strike an opponent, and to prevent slippage through the user’s hand. Jians have been in use for at least 2600 years, and the Goujian Sword is one of the earliest examples of the type.