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Identification of an Ancient Birch Bark Quiver from a Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618–907) Tomb in Xinjiang, Northwest China

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Abstract

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were conducted to identify a birch bark quiver from Ergonghe Reservoir Cemetery (the Tang Dynasty, A.D. 618–907) in Xinjiang, Northwest China. White substance on the bark surface was identified as gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) by FTIR and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The gypsum was probably residual white pigment of colored painting on the birch bark quiver. This is the first time that birch bark has been scientifically identified in China and it also provides the earliest evidence of colored painting on a birch bark artifact in ancient China. The minimally destructive methods are informative and promising for the analysis of ancient samples. Birch species are widely distributed in North China and ancient nomadic people put the bark to use in many aspects of their lives, reflecting the considerable importance of birch exploitation in their local life.

新疆地区唐代墓葬出土桦树皮箭囊的分析. 中国新疆地区二工河水库墓地出土树皮箭囊的残片,其外表面残留一些白色物质。树皮残片经红外光谱和气质联用分析鉴定为桦树皮,而其外表面白色物质经红外光谱和X射线衍射分析鉴定为石膏,可能为桦树皮箭囊表面绘画残留的白色颜料。这是在中国首次运用科技方法鉴定出桦树皮器具,并且提供了中国古代桦树皮器具彩绘的最早实证,反映了北方游牧民族的审美诉求。

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Shannon Croft (University of York) for her comments on the birch bark artifact and also improving the English language. This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41672171), Special Support Fund for Young Scientists of Scientific History Studies (Y529027EA2), and Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS (2013281).

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  1. Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

    Huiyun Rao, Yimin Yang & Hongen Jiang

  2. Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

    Huiyun Rao, Yimin Yang & Hongen Jiang

  3. Xinjiang Cultural Relics and Archaeology Institute, Ürümqi, China

    Xingjun Hu & Jianjun Yu

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  1. Huiyun Rao
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Rao, H., Yang, Y., Hu, X. et al. Identification of an Ancient Birch Bark Quiver from a Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618–907) Tomb in Xinjiang, Northwest China. Econ Bot 71, 32–44 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-017-9369-z

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