Unearthed 2,000-Year-Old Sword Still in Mint Condition

Archeologists in central China's Henan Province recently discovered an over 2,000-year-old sword that was still glittering in mint condition when being unearthed.

The sword was found in a coffin which was excavated in mid-December 2016 from a tomb in the ancient Chengyang City Archaeological Site Park in today's Xinyang City of Henan. The tomb dates back to the Warring States Period (475 BC-221 BC).

Archeologists then transferred the well-preserved coffin to a museum of the archaeological site and found the sword next to a human skeleton in the coffin.

According to the preliminary judgments of the archeologists, the 47-cm-long sword was made of bronze and belonged to a senior official in the Warring States Period.

The ancient city of Chengyang was built over 2,700 years ago.

[DonKedick]

rest in peace man who wanted to be be buried with his sword but isnt any more.

[phoeniximperator]

whoever forged that sword was a true master

[drivesthecar]

Can you imagine being the first person to pull that blade out of its sheath in 2000 years!?
How many people on this planet can say they've done that!?

[chadgerard]

What’s a man have to do to be left alone?? Even in death he is being harassed 🤦🏼‍♂️

[carloscisneros]

So, 2000 years ago, "Made in China" was meaningful...

[AvaToyShow]

This would have blown the owner's mind, a future with scientists, video cameras and internet looking at their sword.

[Shadowbow]

Amazing, the anoxic conditions of the tomb kept the blade from rusting away. Blacksmiths can now properly study the blade to see how blacksmiths of the time made their swords! Super cool!

[GenJotsu]

This will be how the Machines will find my Chinatown bargain sword, 2, 000 years from now.

[comporangesvt]

that is an incredible find. historically significant, but more importantly an ancient beautiful work of art.

[Peteru]

The level of craftsmanship on this type of bronze weapon resembles the much later finds. It's basically a 2000 year old bronze Jian with that perfect shape.

[armandosabre]

My respect to the owner and to the smith.

[Pynaegan]

Impressive for it's age and what it's been through but had I bought this on Ebay as "mint condition", I'd be leaving a negative review.

[lestermiller]

Man that was an incredible find considering that it was around 3, 000 years old. And the beautiful bronze incense burner at the end had me drooling. Why couldn’t I find such nice stuff when I was working in archaeology.

[duncanjunctionsthemadman]

One. This is amazing I would love to have seen the craftsmen who made this blade work then to be the one to tell them it lasted 2000 years.
Two. Have non of these people seen any horror movie about uncovering ancient weapons ever!!!! can we all agree there is an old warrior spirit that is about to be unleashed.

[RaneBane]

You'd never forget how that felt. Like losing your virginity, only difference is you're pulling out.

[sanakassara]

Even when it reveals hidden things from the past of the humanity, and unlocks the mysteries, there is a downside in archeology. Somethings meant to be final, will not ultimately get to enjoy the integrity, which was wished upon them. I could feel something stirring up in me, when I watched the sword being removed out from the grasp of the deceased.

[joshclayton]

Not sure how much i agree with taking this man's sword and screwing around with his remains seems kinda sacred and as little disrespectful to whoever this was

[jamesbaldwin]

A lot of talk from people who don't know what they're talking about...

First, .. anything learned from a 2000 or 200 year old gravesite, make it well worth digging into and not any kind of "grave robbing". It's call archeology and it's a well defined science. It would be graverobbing, but only if people were looting an selling recovered artifacts for profit.

Second, after 2000 years, there is no active decomposing ooze. What you're seeing is just a bit of dirty water and nothing more.

Third, ...bronze never falls prey to any kind of rust. It can tarnish, but that is only seen as a thin, greenish surface tint. Bronze takes nearly forever to corrode or return to its constituent parts.

What I saw, was truly remarkable and hope to see more.

[MrX-lgvi]

I collect old swords. Years ago, I acquired one almost exactly like that from a good source. It’s condition was and is so amazing, I doubted it’s authenticity.

[craigthescott]

If I was buried with some of my modern weapons and in 2000 years someone dug me up to learn more about when I lived I wouldn’t be angry.