China’s third largest pottery coffin in Han Dynasty

The pottery coffin in Han Dynasty, which has already been restored, is exhibited opposite of the adze. Excavated from the Dashulin Tomb at Tiaodeng in the second half of 2012, it is China’s third largest pottery coffin: 190cm long, 47cm wide and 71cm high. This coffin consists of the cover and the body, which are combined together with mortise and tenon joints. The cover is arc-shaped, and the lower edge extrudes towards the inner part.

“It was not easy to make pottery coffins this large in the Han Dynasty. The arc-shaped cover had been smashed into over 20 pieces when it was excavated,” said Li Guohong.

The first steel rail in new China

In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, markets and towns in Dadukou were mainly constructed along banks, mountains and creeks, and a wooden boat was the only means of river transport. From the mid Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, waterway transport gradually began to thrive with the development of agriculture and handicraft industry. Officials and civilians began to maintain and operate the waterways jointly to bring convenience for ordinary people and ensure local stability through conducting chivalrous river crossing, constructing roads and build lifeboats.

Such history is only recorded on the stone tablet in Qing Dynasty, which is also exhibited in the hall. Stories of squires at Tiaodengchang contributing to purchase land, conducting chivalrous river crossings at Guiting Creek, buying relief rice and hiring ferrymen are recorded in the inscriptions.

A weight made of cast iron bearing an inscription carved with Wei’s and regular script in Qing Dynasty is also exhibited, which weighs 153.8 jin. “This was used for weighing salts,” said Li Guohong.

Exhibits such as the first steel rail in new China and the medal commemorating the opening of Chengdu-Chongqing Railway in 1952 can also be found at the exhibition. (Translated by Sun Jiuyang, Fathom Language Limited)