Decipher the mystery of the money tree buried under the ancient tomb

It is said that money trees will bring eternal wealth to the deceased. Buried in ancient Chinese tombs, money trees are bronze carvings.

Recently, the Portland Art Museum was given a hand-crafted tree in southwestern China during the Dong Han period (25-200 years). Supported by ceramic pedestals, this rare art piece is 1.32m high and has a width of 0.56m. Dragons and phoenixes - symbols for longevity and coins are used instead of 16 copper leaves.

This money tree is in a personal collection. There is very little information about it as well as documents identifying time and location of excavation.

It is also not known whether money trees were completely manipulated in the Han Dynasty or only replacement parts. Even the artistic carvings on it are not easy to see with the naked eye because of many rusty layers.

The museum has partnered with chemistry associate Tami Lasseter Clare and her colleagues at Portland State University to delve into its money and its mysterious origins.

Clare has a number of goals: identifying cracks in the tree and deciding how to prevent those cracks in the future, determining the material composition of the tree to understand its origin; Identify rusty plots and accumulated material layers over time to see if all parts of the money tree are original.

The team used many different techniques to observe the surface layer of money trees and identify chemical components. They used the X-radiography method, the technique of studying objects and material structures using X-rays.

Scientists have identified the image of money trees
(dragon image on the right) using X-radiography technique.

X-rays passing through different parts of the sample and an image will be recorded based on the degree of diffraction of the sample. The images will display in different shades depending on the intensity of the X-rays.

With this technique, the team identified weaknesses and cracks in trees and areas where reinforcement and treatment were needed.

In addition, they used electromagnetic spectroscopy to study fluorescence on specimens to determine the chemical composition of money trees.

Photo specimens and X-ray images.

These techniques help the team learn a lot of valuable information about the money tree and its history.

Clare observed thin roots like hair growing in the middle or on plaque layers of money trees.

Buried in the ground for a very long time, the money and artistic details on it were covered with plaque. With X-radiography techniques, researchers have identified the shapes of two monkeys holding bananas and dragon-shaped contours and eyes forming foliage for money trees.

Therefore, they believe that money trees have been restored many times in the past. The replaced parts do not match the original work and they are manipulated differently from other components.

"Interestingly, the replacements have been painted to match the corroded copper and the white of the plaque layers. Perhaps the person who made the replacement parts wanted another money tree. with others to increase its value in the market ".

Reference: Livescience