A dazzling golden crown dating to the Tibetan Empire period (618–842 CE) has emerged from meticulous restoration, now exhibited for the first time at Haixi Prefecture Ethnic Museum in northwest China's Qinghai province. The 8th-century treasure – bearing mythical creatures and 2,400 gemstones – offers new insights into Silk Road cultural exchange.
Discovered in 2019 within a collapsed wooden box at Quangou Tomb No. 1, the fragile crown required pioneering conservation techniques. 'The gold sheet had corroded to less than 200 microns thick – practically dissolving into metallic lace,' said Huang Xi, a researcher from CASS's Key Laboratory of Scientific Archaeology. Laser welding helped reassemble fragments thinner than human hair.
Archaeologists note the artifact blends multiple cultural influences: the pearl-adorned phoenix motifs suggest connections with China's Central Plains dynasties, while turquoise-inlaid animal designs mirror Central Asian aesthetics. A companion gold cup found nearby features grapevine patterns characteristic of Sogdian metalwork – evidence of thriving cross-cultural trade along the Qinghai Silk Road corridor.
The restoration team spent two years reconstructing 11 pearl-draped plumes using 3D scans and microscopic analysis. 'We debated single bead placements for days, consulting historical textiles to recreate the netted silk backing,' explained conservator Wang Dan. The interactive digital display allows visitors to examine this painstaking reconstruction layer by layer.
As part of the Quangou Tomb excavation recognized among China's top 2019 archaeological discoveries, the crown bolsters understanding of the Tibetan Empire's multicultural networks. Museum director Tashi Dhondup notes: 'This isn't just metal and gems – it's centuries of history speaking through restored splendor.'
