Detail map of Maiji Qu, Tianshui Shi, Gansu Sheng, China,Dunhuang Shi, Jiuquan Shi, Gansu Sheng, China,China, Dunhuang Shi, Jiuquan Shi Overview map of Maiji Qu, Tianshui Shi, Gansu Sheng, China,Dunhuang Shi, Jiuquan Shi, Gansu Sheng, China,China, Dunhuang Shi, Jiuquan Shi

A: Maiji Qu, Tianshui Shi, Gansu Sheng, China, B: Dunhuang Shi, Jiuquan Shi, Gansu Sheng, China, C: China, Dunhuang Shi, Jiuquan Shi

Is this Oldest Extant Piece of Paper?

Circa 150 BCE to 65 BCE to 8 BCE
Fragment of the paper map from Tomb 5
Fragment of the paper map from Tomb 5
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.[6]

Prior to the discovery of the paper fragment at Fangmatan paper was traditionally believed to have been invented in China in 105 CE.

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