This gold-plated bronze elephant head was burned in Yuanmingyuan 60 years after/kloc-0, and the river silt shone with dazzling golden light. Some scholars have pointed out that this gold-plated bronze elephant head represents the highest level of gold-plated technology in China. During the excavation, archaeologists found that in the whole river site, not only traces of some remaining waterways can be found, but also berths, sluices and bridge foundations can be vaguely seen.
In order to study the river, archaeologists dug up all the silt at the bottom of the river. It is precisely because of this move that they were able to explore this precious historical site. When this cultural relic was just dug up, on the surface, it was just an ordinary mud knot. Simply put, it is like a stone wrapped in thick soil.
Fortunately, when it was transported from the bottom of the river, everyone found that "this stone" was very heavy and hard, and it looked like a metal product. Archaeologists realized that this might be more than just an ordinary stone, so they sent it to a special laboratory, and it took half a month to clean the soil on it before it showed its true colors.
When this gilded bronze elephant head appeared in front of everyone, everyone was amazed. Here, I will give you a brief introduction to what is bronzing. It is a very unique craft in China traditional culture, symbolizing the prosperity of China craft at that time. Some people here will question that the most recognized precious metal is not gold? Why is it gilded again?
Why is it gilded again? In fact, although gold was valuable at that time, it was very rare and could not be used in large quantities. Therefore, the industrious and intelligent working people in ancient China thought of inventing gilt to make up for the shortage of pure gold.
Although this gilded bronze elephant head has been immersed in river water for many years and corroded by silt day and night, it is as good as new without any damage after cleaning, which also proves to the world the superb level of gold plating technology in China. It has been collected in Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park since the excavation, and 20 17 first appeared in the exhibition.
Although this gold-plated bronze elephant head has been baptized by wind and frost for so many years, it does not affect its vivid eyebrows and serene and natural expression. It can be said that it is the most precious treasure among countless cultural relics excavated in Yuanmingyuan in the past 20 years. Some people may want to ask what elephants stand for in ancient times.
In fact, the elephant has been a symbol of good luck since ancient times. In many important ceremonies, it is an auspicious animal, which means good luck. So, how did such a precious and meaningful gilded bronze elephant head reach the bottom of Yu He River? Now only the head is left. Where has its body gone? So archaeologists read the information and guessed that the bronze statue was to be transported elsewhere as a whole, so they moved out of the palace at the entrance of Yuanmingyuan Grand Palace.
Conclusion: However, when crossing the Yu He River in front of the Grand Palace, there may have been an accidental collision, which caused the elephant's head and body to separate. Finding only the elephant's head is also a celebration. I look forward to returning to elephants in the future.