Cong, anonymous, c. -3300 - c. -2200
In prehistoric Chinese tombs, cong tubes (tall, hollow objects with square corners) were included among grave goods placed alongside the body. Since they date from before the invention of writing in China, there are no sources to explain their function. They must have been important, for jade-carving was a difficult, time-consuming process. This cong, like many others, is decorated with stylized faces on the corners.