Musical instrument set from ancient Yue Kingdom unearthed in East China

HANGZHOU -- Researchers in east China's Zhejiang province have recently discovered a porcelain musical instrument set at the ruins of the Yue Kingdom, dating back to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC), in Yuecheng district of Shaoxing city.

The collection, comprising three cylinder-like percussion instruments and six others resembling ancient chime bells, is the first of its kind to be unearthed in archaeological sites associated with the Yue culture.

The cylinder-like instruments, named "Chunyu" in Chinese, are often paired with drums and used to command the advance and retreat of the troops on the battlefield, while those similar to chime bells were called "Goudiao" at that time.

Typically, a set like this would be crafted from bronze. However, the Yue Kingdom valued frugality and practiced realism, prioritizing the use of precious bronze for the production of weapons and farm tools rather than musical instruments, said Luo Rupeng, a researcher from the cultural relics and archaeology institute of Zhejiang province.

The instrument set was found at the Dahutou Site, a well-preserved settlement that boasts an abundance of ruins, including building foundations, ash pits, ditches and unearthed wells.

In addition to the musical instruments, an extensive array of artifacts was discovered at the site, including numerous pottery pieces, primarily consisting of cooking utensils and food containers, as well as stoneware and bronzeware.

Several wooden oars have also been found, as the Yue residents often traveled by boat at that time. Furthermore, abundant remnants of rice and other plant materials were discovered here.