Since ancient times, people have highly prized the jade stone. Sometimes they even worshiped this stone, considering it the stone of the gods. Due to its high strength, noble color and soft luster, jade was ideal for making tools, amulets, and jewelry. In this review, there are "ten" ancient jade relics that are considered magical.
1. Red imperial seal
At the end of 2016 in Paris, the excitement reigned at the auction - for a record price for works of art, 21 million euros, the famous seal of the Chinese emperor Qian Lung from the Qing dynasty, who ruled in the 18th century, was bought. This seal is carved from very rare jade, a rare red color, and decorated with 9 dragons, symbolizing the supreme power.
2. Jade Hatchets
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In 2016, an exhibition in Scotland exhibited jade hatchets from around 4000 AD. Although they were stored in Scotland for over a hundred years, the place of their manufacture, according to experts, was in the Italian Alps. In ancient times, workshops were located at the foot of the mountains, while jade was mined in mountain quarries located at an altitude of about 2000 m. One of these quarries was found in Monte Viso (Italy) and dates back to 5200 BC.
In total, more than 1600 such hatchets were found in Europe. What they were used for remains unknown, most likely in some rituals. The inhabitants of Northern Italy considered the Alps to be the abode of the gods, and the stones mined in those sacred places as having a special power that could heal and protect people. Almost all hatchets were made of green jade, apparently, the color also had some meaning.
3. Burial suits of jade
In 1968, burial costumes made entirely of jade were found in the graves of Prince Liu Sheng and Princess Duo Wan, his bride. Each took about 2 thousand separate pieces. To date, 15 such suits have been found. The master spent about 10 years to make one. In 223 A. D. e. Emperor Wen Wei banned their manufacture so as not to attract robbers.
4. The sun god of the ancient Maya with a shark tooth
In the jungle of northern Guatemala, a mask made of jade was found, depicting the sun god of the ancient Maya. In the mouth of the god, this jade mask had one large shark tooth. Shark teeth are frequent finds in Maya habitats, apparently, they were widely used in their daily life. They were used to make weapons and jewelry. Maya, living in coastal areas, were famous for their shark hunting. Their stories of "monsters" in the sea and shark teeth spread throughout the territory. In their drawings, the Maya often depicted sharks, too, with only one tooth.
5. Jade from the island of Emirau
On the island of Emirau, near Papua New Guinea, a jade instrument was found. Presumably, it was made 3300 years ago and, probably, the Lapita people, representatives of the ancient culture, were involved in this. And although jade tools are quite common in these places, this one was made from jadeite, a very strong type of jade that is not found on the island itself and throughout New Guinea. Therefore, archaeologists believe that the Lapita people could have brought it with them from their homeland when they moved.
Jadeite is found in Japan and Korea, but it is very different from that found in chemical composition. Jadeite, similar in composition, was found in Baja California, but it is unlikely that the Lapita made such a long journey during their resettlement. In one of the 1903 manuscripts, it is mentioned that jade was supplied from Indonesia, which is located at a distance of less than 1,000 kilometers from the Emirau Island. In this regard, a hypothesis appeared that the found instrument may be associated with Indonesia. But this hypothesis requires additional proof.
6. Jade discs "bi"
In ancient times, rather large jade discs called "bi" (round disc) with patterns carved on them were placed on the bodies of deceased noble people in China. To all appearances, great importance was attached to them. Despite the fact that then there were no metal tools yet, multiple patterns were carved on the discs, and the discs themselves were carefully polished. This, of course, required a lot of effort and patience. It is believed that the discs were supposed to accompany the deceased to another world and emphasize his high status.
7. Underwater jade finds
In 2012, on the territory of the town of Arroyo Pescuero in Mexico, an artifact of brown-white color, 8.7x2.5 cm in size, was recovered from the bottom of the river. Cut from a piece of jadeite, it resembled an ear of corn in shape. The find is dated 900 - 400. BC, at that time the Olmecs, the oldest civilized people of Mexico, lived in this territory. Their capital, La Venta, was located near Arroyo Pescuero, where a particularly large number of ancient artifacts were found. Perhaps this is due to the fact that there was a place for ritual offerings.
8. Hereditary Seal of the Kingdoms
According to legend, it was made in 221 BC. for Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who defeated the Warring States, united China and founded the Qin Dynasty. By his order, the seal was carved from He Shi Bi's famous piece of jade. This seal was a symbol of the highest power and passed when changing power from one ruler to another, but in 900 AD. e. she disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
9. Pakal's mask
In 1952, during excavations at the famous Temple of the Inscriptions in Palenque, a mask was found in the crypt of Pacal "the Great", dated to about 683 AD. e. It was folded in a mosaic of about 300 pieces, mostly jadeite. The mask was fixed to the face with plaster. On Christmas Eve 1984, it was stolen from the museum, but after 5 years, it was safely returned back in good condition.
10. Tsuny Liangzhu
During excavations in the burials of the nobility, jade products "tsun" are often found. They are tubes, rectangular or square on the outside, having a round through hole inside, their purpose is unknown. The tradition of placing jade items in burials, either as guides to another world, or to prevent the decay of the flesh, lasted until the reign of the Han dynasty (206 BC).