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Rare green crystals found in 2,500-year-old tomb in E. China |
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16:43, July 04, 2007 |
Chinese archaeologists exploring a 2,500-year-old tomb in east China''s Jiangxi province that contained 47 coffins in a remarkable state of preservation were stunned to discover several pieces of green crystal lodged in the bones of the skeletons in the coffins.
One of the diamond-shaped crystals was 8.5 centimeters long.
The coffins also contained bronze, gold, silk, porcelain and jade items and even body tissue.
Archaeologists said the crystals appeared to have "grown" in the bones. They pointed out that the coffins were made from halved nanmu, a rare and extremely durable wood, and covered in white plaster and a layer of loess.
The fact that the coffins were fire-heated to make them waterproof and airtight may be a factor in the creation of the crystals. Classically, crystals are formed when rocks are heated and then cool slowly over time.
Archaeologists said there were no previous records of green-colored crystals being found in tombs and said they would help scientists understand changes to the human body in different conditions.
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