湖北博物馆的镇馆之宝：越王勾践剑，历经千年风霜依然锋利如初，这把青铜宝剑不仅是中国古代兵器艺术的杰出代表，更是中华民族文化瑰宝的一部分。它以“天下第一剑”著称，体现了当时工艺家对金属加工技术的精湛水平和对美学审美的追求。

越王勾践剑高55.7厘米、宽4.6厘米、柄长8.4厘米，重875克，是一件极其精细的手工艺品。1965年冬，它在湖北省荆州市附近望山楚墓群中被挖掘出来，那时候距今已经有两千多年的历史了。这个地方曾经是一个重要的楚国贵族墓地，而这把剑，就是埋葬于其中的一个人的专用武器。

sword's hilt is adorned with intricate designs, which not only reflect the craftsmanship of the ancient people but also tell a story about their beliefs and values.

The eight characters "越王勾践自作" inscribed on the blade in bird-well script are a testament to its history and significance. These characters prove that this sword indeed belongs to King Goujian of Yue, who was known for his wisdom and bravery.

What makes this sword even more remarkable is its state of preservation. Despite being buried underground for millennia, it remains almost entirely rust-free. This is due to the fact that it was completely sealed from oxygen when it was buried.

The main component of the sword is copper, which has been alloyed with other metals such as tin and arsenic to increase its strength and durability.

This magnificent piece of history serves as a reminder of China's rich cultural heritage and technological achievements in ancient times.

As an exhibit at Lake Dongting Museum, the Yue Wang Goujian Sword continues to fascinate visitors from all over the world with its beauty, craftsmanship, and historical significance.