Scientists continue to investigate artifacts found by archaeologists a year ago, which were discovered in the Chinese province of Henan (Luoyang city).
According to experts, the burial most likely dates back to at least a couple of millennia and dates back to the reign of the Western Han dynasty in China.
It is noted that all the finds have been perfectly preserved to this day, despite the fact that they have been underground for so much time.
Together with the remains of the tomb, various items made of ceramics, bronze, jade were discovered, which, for sure, will become worthy exhibits of world history museums.
However, one of the most impressive finds was a jug, which contains the remains of a strange amber liquid.
For some time, experts did not conduct research, but recently decided to resume them and find out what is stored inside the jug.
As one of the experts noted, the liquid had the smell of alcohol and at first there was a hypothesis that this was the wine that the ancient Chinese made from rice.
However, laboratory studies have shown that the composition of the liquid is very unusual for any alcoholic beverage and contains alunite and potassium nitrate.
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It should be noted that according to Taoist interpretations of antiquity, such chemicals were used to find a formula and prepare elixirs of youth and even immortality.
According to the head of the Institute of Archeology (Luoyang) Shi Jia Zen, this archaeological find is unique because it gives modern scientists the opportunity to explore how their ancient compatriots made various drugs in order to gain not only eternal youth, but also receive the gift of immortality.
Of course, it will hardly be possible to repeat its composition, as well as to find out how it was used, but for science it will serve an excellent service.
The scientist also joked that there is hardly a daredevil who is ready to try the ancient recipe on himself, since the potassium nitrate in its composition is more than toxic to the human body.
Another suggestion made by experts is that the found elixir could serve for rituals, for example, it could facilitate the easiest and most unimpeded "journey" to the afterlife for the deceased.
However, how - scientists can not yet answer this question.
SMIRNOVA ANNA