Ancient 'pressure cooker' from 2,000 years ago

Ancient Chinese people already used a "pressure cooker" in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24). It is this ingenious bronze ding, with a round body and three squat bear-shaped legs. Each of its two vertical handles is linked to a beast that can pivot on an axle. Its lid is crowned with four evenly spaced little beasts. When the lid is closed and rotated to the proper position, the beasts interlock, sealing the pot tightly and creating high pressure – perfect for stewing food.

Unearthed from the tomb of Liu Sheng (165-113 BC), Prince Jing of Zhongshan, in Mancheng county, Baoding, Hebei province, this charming and practical treasure is now housed at the Hebei Museum.