Stone slab engraved with Chinese characters, known as the “jade book fragment”, from the well excavation in Karabalgasun.
Stone slab engraved with Chinese characters, known as the “jade book fragment”, from the well excavation in Karabalgasun.
Stone slab engraved with Chinese characters, known as the “jade book fragment”, from the well excavation in Karabalgasun.
Stone slab engraved with Chinese characters, known as the “jade book fragment”, from the well excavation in Karabalgasun.
Ink print of stone slab engraved with Chinese characters, known as the “jade book fragment”, from the well excavation in Karabalgasun.
Stone slabs engraved with Chinese characters, known as the “jade book fragment”, from the well excavation in Karabalgasun.

Jade Books

Location Karabalgasun

Dating -

Epoch -

Material Stone

Technique Gilding

Type Excavation find

Description

During the excavation of the well at the Karabalgasun citadel, fragments of narrow, engraved marble slabs bearing Chinese characters were repeatedly found. Some of these fragments still bore traces of gilding.
Known as ‘jade books’, these fragments were mainly found in the upper layers of the well. They were probably thrown in as votive offerings for blessings in the centuries after the citadel was destroyed and fell into disrepair.