When we read some historical materials or novels, we sometimes see records about the ever-burning lamps in ancient tombs. It is said that the ever-burning lamps in these ancient tombs are fueled by oil from Jiao Ren in the South China Sea, which can burn for thousands of years without going out. Even in today's advanced science and technology, we are amazed and wonder how the industrious and intelligent ancients did it.
According to the records of related ancient books, Jiao Ren in the South China Sea is a magical creature in ancient times. Their images are similar to mermaids, covered with scales and living in the deep sea. There used to be a legend that sharks cry out pearls, which means that the tears they shed when they are sad will turn into pearls, which sounds like a myth. Moreover, it is said that the practice of the ever-burning lamp fuel is to refine the fat in their muscles after catching Jiao Ren. This oil can burn for nearly 6000 years without a wick. This is the origin of the legendary magic fuel of ancient ever-burning lamps.
But is this really the case? Ancient records are not necessarily true, but more or less exaggerated. Jiao Ren is also a legendary creature, which does not necessarily exist, or its function is exaggerated. According to the research of modern scientists, the fuel of the ever-burning lamp in the ancient tomb probably hasn't burned for thousands of years. In ancient times, the ever-burning lamps in ancient tombs were lit before the tomb door was closed. When the tomb door is closed, the air in the tomb is gradually consumed until it disappears completely, and the ever-burning lamp goes out naturally without air. However, when the tomb door is opened again after a thousand years, fresh air will pour into the tomb, and the fuel of the ever-burning lamp will spontaneously ignite under the excitation of fresh oxygen, giving people the feeling that the ever-burning lamp has burned for a thousand years.