Post by UKarchaeology on Apr 1, 2016 14:56:40 GMT
Researchers examining an ancient sword in the Tottori Prefectural Museum have discovered an engraving depicting a shark on the object. The bronze sword, about 42 centimetres long, has been dated to the mid-Yayoi period. It was donated to the museum 26 years ago and its origin is unknown. It was in storage, in the Tottori Prefectural Museum, and its blade, from the 2nd century B.C. is engraved with the outline of a shark, the first occasion where such an image has been found on a bronze object. The shark engraving was probably applied with a sharp stone or metal tool.
According to Yozo Nanba, director of the Nara research institute’s Center for Archaeological Operations, the bronze sword may have come from another area and the shark was mark of appropriating the object.
Full story/pics: www.archaeology.wiki/blog/2016/02/29/ancient-japanese-sword-bears-engraving-shark/