Gold and silver, known as rare metals since ancient times, were also the currency used in ancient times. In the feudal era, gold and silver played an important role, not only as a symbol of wealth, but also as an important factor affecting politics, economy, culture and society.
However, over time, the value and role of gold and silver have gradually diminished, and even in modern society, gold and silver have ceased to be our daily transaction currency. So, why has the countless gold and silver in ancient times disappeared without a trace now?
Archaeologists offer several possible explanations.
Silver has a long history and has been used as a valuable ornament and gift as early as the Xia Dynasty. However, it was in the Spring and Autumn period that it really became currency in the state of Chu, and the silver cloth coin made in the state of Chu was the earliest silver coin in China, although it was limited in circulation and was not accepted by other countries.
The currency of the Qin Dynasty to unify the six countries was Qin half taels, and silver was still used as *** rather than currency. Until the Han Dynasty, the status of silver improved, and it was mainly used in bulk international **, rather than in private circulation.
During the Tang Dynasty, silver officially became the currency in circulation, and the Kaiyuan Tongbao became the main currency, which was usually made of copper, and there were also gold and silver versions, but the gold and silver Kaiyuan Tongbao was generally not used for circulation, but as a collection or royal reward.
In circulation, silver ingots and copper Kaiyuan Tongbao are the two most commonly used currencies, but silver ingots have a large face value and are mainly used for large transactions, rather than daily consumption. In the Ming Dynasty, the status of silver was further improved, and the Ming Dynasty also used paper money, with face values ranging from 100 to 1,000 yuan, basically following the tradition of paper money in the Yuan Dynasty.
In ancient societies, silver was widely used as an important ** and settlement currency. The Ming Dynasty was known as the "** Empire" because of its large number of overseas ** and silver standard system.
The Qing Dynasty also followed the silver money system of the Ming Dynasty. Today, however, the vast amount of silver from antiquity seems to have disappeared. Archaeologists have suggested several possible reasons, one of which is that silver was used for burials.
Ancient people believed that after death, people could take their belongings with them and enjoy a rich life. Therefore, they used the silver as a funerary offering for future use.
Therefore, some wealthy people in ancient times, whether they were royal nobles or dignitaries, would store a large amount of gold and silver treasures in their tombs as their own burial goods.
Some of these gold and silver treasures are in the form of gold and silver ingots, gold and silver dollars, gold and silver coins, and some are in the form of gold and silver utensils, gold and silver ornaments, and gold and silver clothing.
These gold and silver treasures, which were meant to enrich the deceased in the afterlife, were in fact coveted by tomb robbers.
The Disappearance of Ancient Silver: Tomb Robbery, Burial and Indemnity Historically, tomb robbery has been frequent, and in both ancient and modern times, there have always been people who have taken the risk of digging ancient tombs and stealing burial goods in order to covet gold and silver.
As a result of these actions, many tombs were not well preserved, and gold and silver disappeared with them. In addition, gold and silver in ancient times were also used for reparations, especially in the late Qing Dynasty, when China was invaded by foreign countries, signed a series of unequal treaties, and was forced to pay huge indemnities.
Therefore, the burial and indemnity use of gold and silver is an important reason for the disappearance of ancient gold and silver.
The huge amount of reparations, in silver taels, amounted to hundreds of millions of taels, equivalent to dozens of times the revenue of China's treasury at that time. This not only seriously weakened China's national strength, but also caused the loss of a large amount of silver taels, so that very few silver taels could flow back to China.
In addition, the use of silver taels for circulation is also an important reason for the disappearance of silver in ancient times. As a currency, silver taels were used for market transactions and exchanges, participating in the ancient market economy.
Although the market economy in ancient times was not as developed and complex as in modern times, it still had a certain scale and vitality. People used silver taels to buy various goods and services, such as food, clothing, houses, furniture, etc.
These goods and services, whether supplied by domestic production or imported from abroad, cover a wide range of sectors and levels. These transactions and exchanges require the circulation of a large amount of silver taels, so that the silver taels continue to flow and change in the market.
Therefore, the circulation of silver taels is the last important factor that led to the disappearance of ancient silver taels. To sum up, why have so many silver taels disappeared in ancient times now?
Archaeologists offer three possible answers: silver taels were used for burials, for indemnities, and for circulation. These three reasons are the products of ancient social history, and they are also the embodiment of the fate of silver in ancient times.
While we cannot change history, we can respect history and learn and reflect from it in order to better face the present and the future.