This set has a total of 11 pieces, Yuntou style, with a round ring on the top, and some copper-style rings consisting of brass nails at the bottom. The turnover part of the ring is wider and could have been used for fastening and hanging. 

The jade is white with some green shading, it is translucent and delicate, and is representative of the top quality jade of Hetian grade.

The Yenikapı site, located in a neighbourhood in Istanbul, was discovered during the construction of stations developed by the Turkish Ministry of Transport and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Excavations in 2010 covered an area of 85,000 square metres and started 3 metres above sea level. Experts decided to conserve the onshore architectural remains, such as the sea walls and a part of the breakwater, on the original site.

Tyre and Sidon were the two most important cities of Phoenicia. Characterized by natural coves during the Bronze Age, the cities had artificial harbor infrastructure after the first millennium BC. After the burial of the ancient basins, after the first millennium AD, the two harbours remained exceptionally preserved due to the preservation properties of the sedimentary context and the presence of the water table.

Siraf is an ancient port city located in the Persian Gulf that prospered during the medieval period with maritime trade. It played an important role in facilitating maritime trade and connecting the Indian Ocean and Chinese routes with maritime routes in the Gulf region. The first connections with South China appear to have taken place in 185. Siraf had its heyday in the 4^th century.

In September, 2006, the remains of an ancient merchant ship were discovered near the port of Siraf at a depth of 70 meters. The ship’s cargo contains big jars that can attest that the ship has belonged to either the Parthian dynasty (248 BC-224 AD) or the Sassanid dynasty (224 AD – 651 AD). Those two dynasties played significant roles in maritime trade intheir time, as the Persian Gulf was a central place on the maritime trade routes between Byzantium and Europe and with Asian countries, especially China.

Settlement of Bigah in Absheron: Archaeological explorations along the coast of Azerbaijan have proved that part of the settlement of Bilgah in Absheron is now submerged. Various artefacts, including ceramics, jewellery, domestic items, copperware and faience have been recovered by those underwater explorations.

The Silk Roads provided considerable opportunities to enrich exchanges regarding tradtional sports including martial art forms such as Chinse WuShu. On the Silk Roads, nomadic skills such as archery and horse riding hybridised with farming culture to form a number of martial arts styles which were spread as people travelled these routes, sometimes protected by martial arts practitioners. A numbe of hybrid martial arts were formed through the organic combination of different elements from Silk Roads regions.

The strong man is standing with a slight lean, his entire stance giving the impression of extreme anger, wearing a helmet and armor, his eyes are wide open; his right arm is slightly lifted and the left arm is on the waist, he seems to be clenching both his fists with vigorous power. Unfortunately, the face is damaged and hence his powerful expression hasn’t been preserved totally.

Height (including the setting): 40cm

Excavated from the site of the West Market 

The gilt bronze buckle is carved with tangled flowers and curved grass. The jade plate depicts 9 events in total, 4 on the Kua, 4 on the Wan and 1 on the tail. The jade is white, smooth and translucent. Every plate is engraved with well-dressed musicians and dancers. The musicians are holding Dabu drums, curved-neck Pipa, Paixiao, flute, Konghou, etc. The dancers are dancing happily with arms raised and stomping on the dancing blanket. Concluding from the dresses and instruments, this seems to be a vivid reflection of Huteng dance.

Ming dynasty, 14-17^th centuries

L: 36.8cm, W: 13cm