Chinese archaeologists believe that an ancient pottery drum unearthed recently in Qianyang County, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, is probably the largest one ever found.
The pottery drum, dating back over 4,000 years, was a kind of musical instrument representing sovereign power at ancient times, said Tian Yaqi, an expert with the Shaanxi Archaeology Institute.
The drum looks like a water vat, 48 centimeters in diameter at the top, 90 centimeters high, and 65 centimeters in diameter at its base. The outside of the rim is encircled by 14 tongue-shaped handles, used to fix the ox hide. The base of the drum has three holes to let out the sound.
When the pottery drum was unearthed, it had broken into several pieces and was rebuilt by archaeologists to its original design. It can make deep and melodious sounds, experts say.
Pottery drums have also been discovered along the Yangtze River Valleys and the lower reaches of the Yellow River. The recent discovery will help research into the origins of such drums.
(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2002)
