Why have lacquer objects survived in waterlogged Chinese tombs for thousands of years?

Lacquer objects have survived in waterlogged Chinese tombs for thousands of years primarily because the material itself is almost totally impervious to water.1

The lacquer used in Chinese lacquerwork is derived from the sap of the Chinese lacquer tree, which acts as a naturally occurring polymer. When applied in thin layers over a core material—such as wood, bamboo, or cloth—this substance creates a durable, protective coating.12

Furthermore, the preservation of these artifacts is often aided by the specific conditions of the burial sites. For instance, in the famous Han dynasty tombs at Mawangdui, an outer layer of sticky white kaolin clay effectively prevented moisture from penetrating the tomb, while an inner layer of charcoal helped fix available oxygen, creating an environment that allowed the lacquerware to remain in perfect condition for millennia.1