Abstract
Iron objects excavated from the Qiaogoutou cemetery site provides an opportunity to study iron-making technology during the late Warring States period and the early Western Han dynasty in southwest China. Five metallographic samples were prepared and analysed. The results are discussed in relation to other studies of iron objects discovered in southwest China.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
‘Records of the historian’, by SiMa Qian, who died 90 BCE. This great book tells the history of the known world from mythical beginnings to SiMa Qian’s own time.
References
Anonymous (1975) Yixian Yanxiadu 44 hao Muzang Tieqi Jinxiang Kaocha Chubu Baogao [Preliminary study on the iron artifacts excavated from tomb 44 of the Yanxiadu site]. Kaogu 4:241–243
Bai Y (2005) Xianqin Lianghan Tieqi de Kaoguxue Yanjiu. [Archaeological study of iron objects in China before the 3rd century AD]. Kexue Chubanshe, Beijing
Beijing University of Iron and Steel Technology (1989) Dabaotai Hanmu Tieqi Jinxiang Jiancha Baogao [a metallurgraphic study of iron objects excavated from Dabaotai tomb of the Han Dynasty]. In: Excavation of Western Han Tomb at Dabaotai, Beijing. Wenwu Chubanshe, Beijing, pp 125–127
Chen J, Han R, Wan X, Li Y (2001) Beipiao Lamadong Mudi Chutu Tieqi de Jinxiang Shiyan Yanjiu [the metallographic study on the ferrous artifacts unearthed from tombs of Lamadong site in Beipiao county, Liaoning province]. Wenwu 12:71–79
Chen J, Han R (2007) The Iron and Steel Technology of Central Plain and North of China during the Han and Jin Periods. Beijing: Peking University Press
Chen J, Huang Q, Li Y, Han R (2008a) Metallurgical studies on the excavated iron objects from tombs at Kele, Hezhang, Guizhou. In: The excavation report of Hezhang Kele in 2000. Wenwu Chubanshe, Beijing, pp 195–206
Chen J, Yang C, Zhang H, Lin F (2008b) Fujian Wuyishan Chengcun Hancheng Chutu Tieqi de Jinxiang Shiyan Yanjiu [metallographic study on the iron objects excavated from the Han dynasty city at Chengcun, Wuyishan, Fujian province]. Wenwu 3:88–96
Han R (1998) Zhongguo Zaoqi Tieqi de Jinxiangxue Yanjiu [an metallographic study on early iron objects of China (before the 5th century BC)]. Wenwu 2:87–96
Han R, Ke J (2007) Zhongguo Kexue Jishushi Kuangyejuan [a history of science and technology in China, mining and metallurgy]. Kexue Chubanshe, Beijing
Li X (2011) Gu Dianguo Jinshu Jishu Yanjiu. [metallurgical study of ancient Dian]. Kexue Chubanshe, Beijing
Li Y, Yang S, Ma C, Yu J (2016) A cast-iron bridge pier dated 96 BCE found in Sichuan, China. Translated by Donald B Wagner. Hist Metall 49:26–36
Liu Z (2012) Xiangjiaba Shuidianzhan Yanmoqu (Sichuan) Kaogu Gongzuo Zhuyao Chengguo [main achievements of the archaeological work in the inundated area of the Xiangjiaba dam (Sichuan province)]. Sichuan Wenwu 1:3–5
Liu B (2013) Study on the Qin and Han tombs at the Qiaogoutou cemetery site. MA thesis, Sichuan University
Liu H, Chen J, Mei J, Jia J, Shi L (2014) A view of iron and steel making technology in the Yan region during the Warring States period and the Han dynasty: scientific study of iron objects excavated from Dongheishan site, Heibei province, China. J Archaeol Sci 47:53–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2014.04.001
Lu Z, Ye X, Wang Y, Du Y, Wang X, Bai R, Zheng S (1980) Mancheng Hanmu Fajue Baogao. [excavation of Han tomb at Mancheng]. Wenwu Chubanshe, Beijing
Ma C (2011) Preliminary study on iron smelting sites in Chengdu plain. MA thesis, Sichuan University
Rong Y, Luo W, Wei G, Song G, Wang C (2013) Shenmingpu Yizhi Chutu Tieqi de Gongyi Kaocha [study on manufacturing technique for iron artifacts unearthed from the Shenmingpu site]. Sci Conserv Archaeol 25(3):64–70
Scott DA (2013) Ancient metals: microstructure and metallurgy vol IV, iron and steel. © David Arthur Scott, Charleston
SiMa Q (1982) Shi Ji [records of the historian], vol 129. Zhonghua Shujv, Beijing
Wagner DB (1993) Iron and steel in ancient China. E.J. Brill, Leiden
Wagner DB (2007) Science and civilisation in China vol 5, part 11. Ferrous metallurgy. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Yu M, Qian W (2011) Jinxiang Fenxi Jishu zai Yanjiu Qinhan Tiebingqi Zhizuo Jishu zhong de Yingyong [applications of metallographic analysis Technology in Qin and Han Iron Weapons Production Technology]. Technol Dev Chem Ind 40(1):31–36
Zhou W, Liu S, Chen J (2016) Discovery and study of metallurgical crucibles in ancient China [in Chinese with an English abstract]. Stud Hist Nat Sci 35(3):358–370
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Dr. Donald Wagner for his insightful comments, support and assistance. The comments made by the anonymous reviewers helped to improve the quality of the manuscript and are gratefully acknowledged.
Funding
This research was funded by The National Social Science Fund of China (No.15ZDB056).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Li, Y., Li, Y., Yuan, H. et al. Early iron objects of southwest China: a case study of iron objects excavated from Qiaogoutou cemetery site, Sichuan Province. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 11, 1187–1198 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-017-0595-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-017-0595-1