Dust flux, Vostok ice core

Dust flux, Vostok ice core
Two dimensional phase space reconstruction of dust flux from the Vostok core over the period 186-4 ka using the time derivative method. Dust flux on the x-axis, rate of change is on the y-axis. From Gipp (2001).

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Gold from a Chinese tomb

From the tomb of Prince Liangzhuang, who died in 1441. The artifacts are on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, which is a distinctive complex that is hard to miss.






Gold pins.




Earrings and gold ornaments.









Belts of gold and white jade. Some of these formed entire belts, with several segments held together with strips of fabric; and some pieces were like buckles for a silk sash. But they all had gold in them. Gemstones included (apart from the jade) rubies, sapphires, emeralds, aventurine, and turquoise.




Hat ornaments--again gold, with sapphires, rubies, et al.

What do you when you are a prince and you have important company. You can't expect them to wash their hands in a ceramic bowl, can you?



Actually, the gold basin was for the prince. The guests (and the wife) had to content themselves with silver.



Silver basin and tableware.

 

Gold utensils.


Gold coins. Apparently these were placed under the body of the wife (who, coincidentally, may have died at the same time as the Prince). Better than losing them in a boating accident, anyway.


Silver coins too. Well, why not?


Inscribed gold bar, describing fineness, weight, and the bona fides of the maker. I don't believe any tungsten was used in its manufacture.

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