Chinese search for immortality

The search for immortality is from all times but here we are confronted with a liquid that was meant to do just that!

The precious elixir of life was discovered in China’s Henan Province inside a bronze pot from the Han Dynasty. It was part of the grave goods surrounding the remains a noble family from Luoyang.

[Picture from Archaeology News Network - Credit  VGC]

Archaeologists first thought they found a liquor because of its alcoholic smell but close lab research revealed that it was made of potassium nitrate and alunite or alum. According to ancient Taoist texts, these elements were the main ingredients of an immortality medicine.

This is the first time such “immortality medicine” is found in China and it offers a unique opportunity to study the Chinese thoughts on achieving that immortality. I suppose that the 3.5 liters will suffice further examination.

Beside the remains of the deceased, this tomb, which covers 210 square meters, also yielded a great number of jade and bronze artifacts as well as painted clay pots.

Of course, the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) started some 100 years after Alexander but that does not mean that this kind of elixir did not exist before that – maybe even in Alexander’s days …