A 600-year-old porcelain lamp discovered in Shanxi province has provided unprecedented insights into ancient fuel practices and cultural rituals during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Researchers found a unique blend of linseed oil, mutton tallow, and beeswax in the lamp, revealing sophisticated methods for lighting and ancient beliefs about the afterlife.

• The lamp was unearthed in 2021 in Nantou village, Shanxi province.
• Wang Keqing, associate researcher at the National Museum of China’s Institute of Conservation, explained that the fuel blend likely produced a bright, pleasant-smelling flame with less smoke, or was used to conserve oil.
• The presence of beeswax suggests a desire for fragrance and reduced smoke, while vegetable oil improved brightness.
• The find, published as a joint research project between the National Museum of China and the Xinzhou Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, showcases sophisticated ancient ingenuity in fuel adaptation.