100-Year Old Miniature Watch Found In A Tomb Over 400 Years Old

This is a bit of an old story, but an interesting one nevertheless. In 2009, a miniature ring in the shape of a Swiss watch was found in a tomb Shangsi, Southern China - sealed over 400 years ago in the Ming Dynasty.

During this Dynasty, 'flashy items' were banned, so being buried with a ring/watch like this makes sense as it is a practical item. The fact that it's very small also makes sense; there are many examples in Egyptian tombs where people are buried with items that are very small etc. - it is idea that they 'come alive' and become their real size in the afterlife. The fact that they are made very small was probably to make enough room in the tomb for many other items.

So being buried with a watch makes sense. But being buried with a miniature watch with the letters "Swiss" written on in English on the back of it during this period is a bit strange.

(c) Lunatic Outpost

So what do you think? The Doctor? A practical joke by previous visitors? Or some horrendous advertising scheme?

You can read more about it here.

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