In 1986 Tomb 5, dating to the early Western Han (early 2nd century BCE) was excavated at the
Fangmatan archaeological site located near
Tianshui in
China's
Gansu province. The site was located within the
Qin state, and includes several burials dating from the
Warring States period through to the early
Western Han.
The occupant of tomb 5 was buried with a paper map laid on his chest, but due to water damage only a single fragment (5.6 × 2.6 cm) of the map survived. The map, which depicts topographic features such as mountains, waterways and roads, is drawn on a piece of paper that is probably the oldest surviving piece of paper.
Fragments of paper have also been found at Dunhuang dated to 65 BCE and at
Yumen Pass, dated to 8 BCE.
Prior to the discovery of the paper fragment at Fangmatan paper was traditionally believed to have
been invented in China in 105 CE.