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For more than 100,000 years, humans have been fascinated by jade. Its rich color, gleaming surface, and unmatched toughness have made it the perfect material for crafting tools, amulets, jewelry, and royal treasures. Ancient Europeans and Asians believed jade had healing properties, even thought to possess the power to grant immortality.
Though green is the most common color, jade comes in a variety of shades. In 1863, researchers revealed that jade actually refers to two distinct silicate stones: nephrite, perfect for carving, and jadeite, which can be tougher than steel. The Maya and the Chinese valued jade more than any other material, even more than gold.
10. The Legendary Red Jade Imperial Seal
In December 2016, an 18th-century Chinese imperial seal fetched 21 million euros at auction. Dating back to the Qianlong period (1736-1795), this emblem of imperial power is intricately carved from red and beige nephrite.
Following an intense bidding war, an anonymous Chinese buyer secured the seal. It sold for 20 times its estimated value, surpassing the previous record of 12.4 million euros for a jade stamp in 2011.
This seal was once owned by Emperor Qianlong, and objects from his reign are highly regarded as masterpieces of Chinese art. The jade, described as “nearly blood red,” is exceptionally rare.
The stamp features nine dragons, symbolizing male energy and strength. The inscription reads: “Treasure of the imperial brush of Qianlong.” A skilled poet and calligrapher, the emperor used the seal to authenticate his works. Under his rule, the empire expanded, and the population soared to 400 million.
9. Scottish Jade Axes
In 2016, the National Museum of Scotland unveiled an exhibition showcasing ancient jade axes. Dating back to 4000 BC, these blades had already been in existence for over a century when they arrived in Scotland. Experts have traced their origins to the Italian Alps.
The production centers were situated near towering mountains, and the jade was extracted from heights exceeding 1,980 meters (6,500 ft). Archaeologists have identified one of these jade quarries in Monte Viso, Italy, dating as far back as 5200 BC.
More than 1,600 jade axeheads have been discovered throughout Europe. Their ritualistic and spiritual meanings remain a mystery. Neolithic peoples of Northern Italy considered the Alps to be the divine home of the gods. It is probable they believed that stones taken from these sacred mountains possessed the ability to heal and protect.
The axes may have been crafted for ceremonial purposes or sacrifice. The color of the jade could have held symbolic importance, as replicas were frequently made using locally found green stones.
8. Jade Burial Suits
In 1968, archaeologists unearthed jade burial suits in the tomb of Prince Liu Sheng and his wife, Princess Duo Wan. Each full-body ensemble is made up of over 2,000 jade pieces.
The prince’s suit was sewn together with gold thread, while the princess’s was crafted using silver. These suits had been rumored to exist since the fourth century AD, but they weren’t confirmed until the tomb was excavated. To date, only 15 have been found.
Experts believe that it took a skilled jadesmith a decade to create a single suit. In AD 223, Emperor Wen of Wei issued a ban on the production of jade suits, fearing they would attract thieves.
Ancient Chinese culture held that jade possessed remarkable powers, capable of halting decay and guarding against evil spirits. The prince and princess may have achieved their immortality goal. Since jade is porous, it may still contain their genetic material, which has seeped in over more than two millennia.
7. Mayan Shark-Toothed Sun God
In the dense jungles of northern Guatemala, archaeologists uncovered a fascinating jade mask at the Rio Azul Mayan site. The mask depicts Kinich Ahau, the Sun god, with a notable feature: one large shark tooth. This provides valuable insight into Mayan spirituality, legends, and their hunting practices. Shark teeth were often found at Mayan sites and were utilized in daily life for making weapons, jewelry, and tools for bloodletting rituals.
Coastal Maya were known for hunting sharks, and they likely shared stories of these “sea monsters” and their teeth throughout the inland regions. These tales were likely exaggerated as they spread through the networks of traders traveling from the coasts.
In Mayan art, sharks are often depicted with a single large tooth, just as seen in the Sun god's mask. Archaeologists have discovered Megalodon teeth at various Mayan sites. It’s believed that these remains of colossal prehistoric predators may have contributed to the Mayans' deep respect for sharks.
6. Enigmatic Emirau Island Jade
Archaeologists unearthed a mysterious jade tool on Emirau Island, located off the coast of Papua New Guinea. Estimated to be 3,300 years old, it is believed to have been crafted by the Lapita people. This ancient group, who spread across the western Pacific, are regarded as the ancestors of present-day Polynesians.
While jade tools are not rare in this region, this particular find is made from a unique material, which experts speculate was brought along by the Lapita as they migrated from their original homeland.
The tool is made of jadeite, the hardest form of jade. No examples of this tough material have been found in New Guinea. The only known sources, Japan and Korea, produce a different type of stone. The closest chemical match comes from jade in Baja California.
Transoceanic travel seems improbable. An unpublished German manuscript from 1903, which documents jade in Indonesia—less than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from the Emirau find—has led some to suggest an Indonesian origin. However, further testing is required.
5. Jade Funeral Discs
Since 5000 BC, large jade discs have been placed on the bodies of deceased Chinese elites. Their purpose remains unclear. Also referred to as bi discs, these nephrite carvings first emerged during the late Neolithic period.
The discs were often placed on the chest or abdomen of the deceased. Many feature symbols associated with the heavens. Almost all elite tombs from the Hongshan culture (3800 BC to 2700 BC) and the Liangzhu culture (3000 BC to 2000 BC) contain these objects.
Given the absence of metal tools at the time, the stones were meticulously carved using brazing and polishing techniques. The considerable effort put into their crafting and their placement in tombs suggests deep spiritual significance.
Some theories propose that the discs are linked to specific deities. Others believe they symbolize a wheel or the Sun, representing the cyclical nature of life. Since these jade discs predate written language, their exact function may never be fully understood.
4. Underwater Offering
In 2012, archaeologists unearthed a mysterious jade object from Arroyo Pesquero in Mexico. Dating between 900 BC and 400 BC, the artifact is believed to have been a sacrificial offering. It is crafted from mottled brown and white jadeite, a material stronger than steel.
Measuring 8.7 centimeters (3.4 inches) by 2.5 centimeters (1 inch), the object was discovered 3 meters (10 feet) beneath the surface of a deep stream. The form is abstract, though most scholars agree it resembles a corncob.
The discovery dates to the Olmec civilization in Veracruz. Their ancient city of La Venta, home to as many as 10,000 people and featuring a 34-meter (112-foot) pyramid, was located just 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Arroyo Pesquero.
For the past 50 years, thousands of artifacts have been unearthed at Arroyo Pesquero, leading researchers to conclude that the site likely served as a place for ritual offerings. Positioned at the confluence of freshwater and saltwater, the location probably held profound spiritual importance.
3. Liangzhu’s Enigmatic Cong
The Neolithic Liangzhu culture, known for its skilled jade artisans, thrived along the Yangtze River Delta in present-day Zhejiang province. To date, 50 archaeological sites attributed to the Liangzhu culture have been discovered.
Elite tombs from the Liangzhu culture are always found containing intricately carved cong, square jade tubes with a circular hole running through the center. Some are made in a single section, while others are longer. The square edges of these tubes are often adorned with face-like motifs, believed to represent guardian spirits.
Debate about the cong’s purpose can be traced back to the Qing dynasty. Their consistent presence in elite burials has sparked various theories. It is widely believed that these objects served as symbols of power.
Jade remained a common offering for the deceased well into the Han dynasty (206 BC to AD 220). Some theorize that the jade objects acted as guides for the souls of the departed, helping them navigate the afterlife. Others believe the jade was thought to prevent the decay of the body.
2. Lord Pakal’s Funeral Mask
In 1952, while excavating the funerary crypt beneath the Temple of the Inscriptions at Palenque, archaeologists uncovered the mosaic burial mask of Lord Pakal the Great. Dating to the Mayan Late Classic period around AD 683, this mask is made from a mosaic of 300 pieces including jadeite, albite, kosmochlor, and veined quartz.
The eyes of the mask are crafted from conch shell and obsidian. Originally, a wooden frame held the tiles in place, and the mask was secured to the deceased king's face with a layer of stucco.
On Christmas Eve in 1984, Pakal's mask was stolen along with other artifacts from Mexico City's Museo Nacional de Antropología. The heist was carried out by a pair of vet school dropouts who infiltrated the museum via air ducts.
In 1989, a drug dealer turned informant and helped dismantle the ring of art thieves. They had attempted to trade the artifacts for cocaine. Pakal's mask, along with the other treasures, was returned in good condition.
1. Heirloom Seal Of The Realm
The Heirloom Seal of the Realm stands as one of China’s most enigmatic artifacts. Legend holds that it was carved from jade in 221 BC, commissioned by Qin Shi Huang. That year, he successfully unified the six Warring States, forming the Qin dynasty.
Qin Shi Huang ordered the creation of an imperial seal, fashioned from an extraordinary piece of jade, a symbol of his imperial power. The seal was passed down through the rulers as a token of their authority until it mysteriously disappeared around AD 900.
The He Shi Bi jade was used to carve this artifact, a piece associated with the tragic tale of a man who supposedly lost his legs in the process. Some legends suggest the seal may have been taken from the Zhao state. This emblem served as a representation of the Mandate of Heaven, and simply possessing it was seen as enough to legitimize a ruler’s reign in the eyes of history.
The fate of the seal’s disappearance is still unclear. Some historians speculate that later emperors, in their obsession with acquiring and hoarding seals, may have diminished the importance of the Heirloom Seal to weaken its symbolic authority.
