Silk confirmed in 7th century coffin

A Japanese university team has found the remains of silk in a coffin made of layers of cloth that was found in an ancient burial mound in western Japan.

Some researchers believe that the tomb in the village of Asuka in Nara Prefecture may be that of Empress Saimei, who reigned in the 7th century.

The team was led by Professor Takashi Nakazawa of Nara Women's University. The team confirmed that the coffin made of layers of lacquered cloth contained proteins that are identical to those of silk.

One of the team's members, Associate Professor Atsuko Miyaji, says the use of silk, which was an expensive commodity at the time, is proof that the coffin contained someone of high status.
Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:16:00 +0900(JST)