How Dexterous Ancient Chinese are–Ceramic Boat

On the prow of the boat is a heavy stone used as an anchor. The helm is in the back part of the boat and its shaft passes through the helmsman’s cabin and is secured to the stern.

The helm is different from that on modern river boats and it retains vestiges of the rudder from which it evolved. It is shorter than a rudder, but a bit longer than the helm of an ordinary river boat.

The helm was an important invention in ancient China. The one shown here is the earliest so far discovered. The six people on the boat are all in working postures.

In proportion to the height of these figures, a real boat of this type would be 14-15 meters long with a loading capacity of more than 500 hu (a dry measure equal to 5-10 decalitres).

On the deck are six groups of spears and shields, indicating that this is a model of an inland river boat with armed guards.

Copyright: A Journey into China’s Antiquity– Chinese History in Cultural Relics, Blossom Press

Photo/IC