A Royal Tomb’s Surprising Discovery

In a recent archaeological conference in Nanchang, experts made a groundbreaking announcement: a set of large bronze vessels unearthed from the tomb of Haihunhou (Marquis of Haihun), Liu He, contained traces of taro residue. This discovery suggests these artifacts might be China’s earliest known distillation apparatus—potentially pushing the history of distilled liquor back to the Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE–9 CE).

This revelation challenges long-held assumptions about technological progress in ancient China. While modern minds associate distillation with industrial-era advancements, these artifacts prove that the Chinese had mastered the principles of vaporization and condensation over two millennia ago.

From Cooking Pots to Alchemical Tools: The Evolution of Distillation

The origins of Chinese distillation technology can be traced back to Neolithic food preparation. The earliest precursor, the yan (甗), was a dual-chambered vessel consisting of an upper zeng (steamer) and a lower li (cauldron), separated by a perforated grate. Archaeological finds, such as a 7,000–8,000-year-old pottery zeng from the Kuahuqiao site in Zhejiang, confirm its use for steaming grains.

A key breakthrough came during the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE) with the “steam-column zeng” from the tomb of Fu Hao. Unlike earlier models, this bronze vessel featured a central tube that collected condensed steam—a critical step toward true distillation. By the Han Dynasty, improved furnace designs led to the replacement of the li with flat-bottomed fu (kettles), resembling the apparatus found in Liu He’s tomb.

Mercury and Immortality: Distillation’s Role in Ancient Science

Beyond culinary uses, distillation played a vital role in metallurgy and Daoist alchemy. Early Chinese elites, obsessed with longevity, sought to refine cinnabar (mercury sulfide) into liquid mercury—a substance believed to confer immortality.

Initially, mercury was extracted through open-air heating, but this inefficient method wasted volatile vapors. By the Han era, sealed retorts emerged. Texts like the Five Metals Powder Manual describe “lower-fire, upper-condensation” systems where cinnabar was heated in a sealed vessel, with mercury collected on cooler upper surfaces. However, these setups were prone to spills if disturbed—an issue later solved by “upper-fire, lower-condensation” designs featuring drip channels and cooling chambers.

Medicine, Perfume, and the Marquis’ Ailments

The Haihunhou artifacts hint at medicinal applications. Historical records describe Liu He as suffering from chronic illness, and his tomb contained medicinal herbs like rehmannia and taro—both used in traditional remedies. The distillation vessel’s taro residue suggests it may have produced herbal extracts to treat his ailments.

Meanwhile, by the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE), distillation enabled perfume production. Arab-style rosewater (qamar al-ward), imported via the Silk Road, inspired local imitations. Though early Chinese versions, made with jasmine or osmanthus, were considered inferior, Ming-era (1368–1644 CE) innovations eventually matched foreign quality.

Rewriting Technological History

The Haihunhou findings join at least six other Han-era distillation devices discovered across China, including a 1975 find in Anhui and a 2006 excavation in Xi’an. Laboratory tests confirm these vessels could produce distilled alcohol—upending the narrative that true distillation only arrived centuries later via foreign trade.

Far from primitive tools, these artifacts reveal a sophisticated grasp of chemistry. Whether brewing spirits, refining mercury, or crafting medicines, Han-era innovators laid foundations for technologies we still use today. As research continues, each discovery peels back another layer of China’s rich scientific heritage—one vapor at a time.