2,200-Year-Old Inscribed Stone Found, Shedding Light on Chinese Civilization on the "Roof of the World"

A significant archaeological discovery has been made on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the "Roof of the World." Chinese authorities announced the finding of an inscribed stone from the Qin imperial dynasty (221-207 BC), the only known stone from that period preserved at its original site and at such a high altitude. The stone is located on the northern bank of Jialing Lake in Qinghai province, at an elevation of 4,306 meters.

Details of the Discovery and Its Historical Significance

The inscribed surface measures about 0.16 square meters and contains 37 ancient Chinese characters. Hu Guangliang, a professor at Qinghai Normal University, led the expedition that discovered the inscription in 2020. He believes it is a "living historical evidence" of China's unified and diverse civilization, showing that people were already venturing into the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau as early as the Qin dynasty.

The interpretation of the inscription by Tong Tao, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, sparked controversy. Tong suggested that the stone documents Emperor Qin Shi Huang's expedition to find the "elixir of life," with his alchemists stopping at Jialing Lake, the source of the Yangtze River. This interpretation led some to suspect the inscription was a modern forgery.

Confirmation of Authenticity

To resolve the doubts, the National Cultural Heritage Administration commissioned a team of experts to conduct a comprehensive field investigation. After careful study, the inscription was authenticated as dating back to the Qin dynasty. Deng Zhao, an official from the administration, explained that high-precision analysis of minerals and elements ruled out the use of modern alloy tools. He also noted that the grooves and surface of the stone show secondary mineral deposits, indicating long-term natural weathering.

Laboratory analysis identified the stone as quartz sandstone, a material known for its high resistance to erosion. Zhao Chao, another researcher on the team, stated that the scientific methods used in this investigation will set a new standard for authenticating ancient rock inscriptions in China.

Deng confirmed that the inscription is largely intact, with most of the characters remaining clear and legible. He added that the inscription contains a complete history not found in existing records, filling gaps in the historical narrative and holding immense historical, artistic, and scientific value.