Guangxi bronze drum is world’s largest

An ancient bronze drum with cloud and thunder patterns may be the largest found in world archaeological history.
It was found in Beiliu City in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Its diameter measures 165 centimeters and weighs about 300 kilograms. It is on display at the Anthropology Museum of Guangxi in Nanning City, Guangxi’s capital.
Artifacts from China’s bronze age include wine cups, mirrors, weapons and tools forged from the metal. By some estimates, it began as early as 1700 BC during the Shang Dynasty along the banks of the Yellow River. However, some bronze artifacts have been found and dated about 1,000 years before that.
Its prominence is believed to have lasted through 700 BC even though metal vessels of bronze continue to be made during the Han Dynasty in 200 BC.