A child from Jiangsu province stumbled on a bronze sword believed to be about 3,000 years old.

The 11-year-old boy identified as Yang Junxi reported Gaoyou Cultural Relics Bureau. Yang found the bronze sword, which was then rusty, in Gaoyou County on July 2 while playing near Laozhoulin River.

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The boy gave the metal sword to his father, Yang Jinhai. His father said that people came to their house after hearing the news. According to the boy’s father, people started bidding to purchase the sword. However, he said he felt it would be illegal to sell a relic.

Yang Jinhai sent the cultural relic to the Gaoyou Cultural Relics Bureau earlier this month. The bureau assigned relic experts to identify the material, shape and length of the sword along with other information confirming its authenticity.

After initial assessment, experts found out that the bronze sword could possibly be from the Shang and Zhou era. This was according to the bureau’s head of cultural relics Lyu Zhiwei.

The metal sword was the second relic found in the region. This was after another relic was unearthed in Sandou.

Lyu said that there were no decorative patterns found on the sword. He added the sword’s owner would have been someone wealthy to be able to own such artifact. Lyu said the characteristics of the sword do not resemble a military weapon. Furthermore, he said the metal sword has its practical and decorative purposes.

Several search operations have been held near and around Laozhoulin River. Officials said they are in search of other artifacts that might have surfaced from the bottom of the river. Meanwhile, the local government has proposed additional archaeological exploration into the river and areas nearby.

Yang Junxi and his father were given collection certificates by Gaoyou City museum and the relics department. They were also awarded with a bonus after protecting a cultural artifact and donating it to the authorities.

TagsJiangsu, Yang Junxi, Gaoyou Cultural Relics Bureau, Gaoyou County, Yang Jinhai