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Ancient Pottery As Flimsy As Eggshell Found in Northeast China
A piece of painted pottery as flimsy as eggshell, dating back to more than 3,000 years ago, was recently found in northeast China.
This is the first painted pottery ever to be found in the eastern part of Liaoning Province.
It shows that ancestors in the region had grasped quite advanced pottery-making techniques at that time, which means the history of the region can be dated back more than previously thought, said archaeologists.
Previously, northeast China was regarded as a land of wildness some 3,000 years ago.
The painted pottery, excavated from an ancient tomb in Fushun City, is reddish orange, and there is a black petal on it. The surface is smooth, delicate and lustrous.
In addition, dozens of broken pottery pieces were unearthed at the same site. After careful study, experts concluded they are part of a liquid container.
According to archaeologists, the technique for making this kind of painted pottery is quite complex. The pottery is only two millimeters thick, and a very thin layer of red glaze is applied to it. After baking it in high temperatures, it still needs burnishing.
"This kind of painted pottery is of great importance to the study of pottery-making techniques in ancient China and the study of eastern Liaoning's culture," said an expert.
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