Hot pot

A three-legged bronze, unearthed in the 2,000-year-old tomb of Haihunhou in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, may be a hot pot. [Photo/Xinhua]

A bronze pot containing chestnuts was unearthed at the "Haihunhou" tomb, which may prove the popularity of hot pot cuisine among ancient aristocrats.

The three-legged vessel was identified as a hot pot because a charcoal plate was attached to the bottom that could keep the broth simmering while it was served.

Charcoal traces and food residue, including the chestnuts, indicate the vessel had been used before it was buried. An expert said that it is very likely that the tomb's owner was a hot pot lover.

Though hot pot dinners are popular in modern China, they were rarely seen on the dinner tables of commoners 2,000 years ago. Such containers were only found in tombs of the nobles.