Archaeologists uncover smallest Han dynasty armour scales in tomb of emperor Liu He

Archaeologists have discovered 6,000 small armour scales in the tomb of Chinese emperor Liu He in Jiangxi province. These scales, measuring just 1cm wide and 0.2cm thick, are the smallest ever found from the Han dynasty. This find is significant as it reveals a multi-material approach to armour-making, differing from the typical single-material designs of the time. Previous Han dynasty armour scales were much larger, ranging from 4cm to 10cm wide. The discovery provides new insights into the advanced techniques used in ancient Chinese armour production. It contrasts with earlier findings, such as those from the tomb of Liu Sheng, where scales were larger and less intricate.