A series of excavations of 2,000-year-old tombs in Jiangsu Province dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) yielded a lot of precious archaeological finds. The items dug include vessels, ceramics, loofahs, jade butt plugs and bronze dildos.
Spiritual Use
However, according to researchers, some of the items considered sex toys at present times could have been used differently during those times. The use of the jade butt plug was more for spiritual instead of sexual purpose since jade was considered having the ability to ward off spiritual and physical ravages. Embalmers used the butt plus as a seal to the anal orifice of a corpse which could possibly be a source of body fluid leaks, Shanghaiist reported.
Fan Zhang, exhibition curator, explained that besides preventing a leak, the butt plug also kept inside the corpse vital essences. Besides the anal orifice, embalmers also placed a mouth seal on corpses during that era because the mouth was considered the most vital orifice. Fan Zhang said there is a sample also of the cicada-shaped mouth plug in their exhibit.
Strap-Ons
However, in the case of the bronze dildos, Fan Zhang said it appears to have been made for used as strap-ons, using leather or silk things. He said it is unclear if the bronze dildos were designed for male or female use, but Fan Zhang believes the one with a ring form was likely for man’s use since it was discovered inside a king’s tomb, Metro reported.
The artefacts from Han Dynasty are on display at the new Tomb Treasures exhibition of the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. The Han Dynasty is considered one of the most powerful and advanced civilizations during that era and is often compared to the Roman Empire.