Near the ancient capital of Haojing in Shaanxi Province, researchers have excavated a specialized storage pit dating to the Western Zhou Dynasty. The pit served as a dedicated depot for royal chariot harnesses and contained dozens of pairs of bronze cheek-pieces and bit-stoppers, many featuring intricate animal-mask motifs inlaid with turquoise.
The find is significant for its demonstration of the standardized bronze-casting techniques used for high-status military equipment. The preservation of the bronze is exceptional, allowing scholars to study the wear patterns on the bit-stoppers, which reveals new information about the training and handling of horses in early Chinese warfare and ceremonial processions.