2,800-year-old carriage in Shaanxi restored

After a 3-year effort by scholars and archeologists, the relic of a bronze-cog carriage from the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC) has been successfully restored in Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

Unearthed from the Zhouyuan Site in Qishan county in the city of Baoji, the carriage, over 3 meters long, is the only ancient horse-drawn vehicle with an entire set of bronze cogs. Though over 2,800 years old, its interior was decorated with a considerable amount of turquoise, bronze and jade ornaments, along with colored drawings. Remains of the four harness horses were found in front of the carriage.

Archeologists managed to build a scale replica of the vehicle using samples extracted from the site. This extraordinary piece will be a significant reference in studying the rituals of the Western Zhou Dynasty.