Swords have been a symbol of power for centuries, becoming essential pieces in hundreds of stories around the world, and some fabulously preserved specimens serve as "windows" into the past. One of them is the Sword of Goujian, found in 1965. Archaeologists were stunned to discover that the sword had not only resisted tarnishing after 2,500 years in a hostile environment, but also retained its original edge.
No need to dig too deep to confirm that swords are at the heart of many myths and legends. The first that comes to mind is Excalibur, but the list is very long: Gram, Durandal, Cortana, Joyosa, Tizona, Colada, Kusanagi, Zulfiqar... Over the centuries, they have all acquired a semi-legendary profile, regardless of their existence. However, when the Chinese say the Sword of Goujian has no equal, they may be right. The sword was discovered in 1965, south of Hubei province. It currently rests in the Provincial Museum, and at first glance anyone would think it is a replica, since its condition is... impeccable.
The Name Behind the Blade
Its name arises after a wide debate among Chinese experts. The text on the sword speaks of the "king of Yue", and if we consider the era in which it was created (at the end of the "Spring and Autumn period"), the total number of candidate kings extends to nine, but everything seems to indicate that the king of Yue mentioned on the blade is Goujian. Now, let's not fool ourselves: that means the sword is 2,500 years old and its edge could still kill a person. Its chemical composition is dominated by bronze (copper-tin alloy). There is a large presence of copper in the body of the blade, but its edge possesses a higher tin content. The analysis also reveals traces of iron, lead, sulfur (which reduces the chances of tarnishing in the patterns), and arsenic.
The Secret of Its Preservation
Why did it preserve so well? The sword's composition is a critical aspect, however, the key was in its scabbard, made of wood with a black lacquer finish. The fit between the sword and its scabbard was so precise that it virtually protected the blade by forming a hermetic seal, despite the humid environment. At barely 55.6 centimeters long (the natural restrictions of bronze and the technology of the era limited the size) and 875 grams in weight, the Sword of Goujian is short and light, but no less lethal.
