Study on Mineral Sources of Eastern Han Period Bronzes in Wuchuan, Guizhou
Received:November 26, 2021   Revised:December 02, 2021   Accepted:December 07, 2021      Published Online:March 15, 2022
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DOI:doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-7545.2022.04.017
KeyWord:Wuchuan bronzes; lead isotope; mineral sources; high radiogenic lead
           
AuthorInstitution
HUANG Mei 中国科学技术大学科技考古实验室
WU Xiao-tong 中国科学技术大学科技考古实验室
TAO Li 中国科学技术大学科技考古实验室
SHI Min 贵州省文物考古研究所
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Abstract:
      The area of Wuchuan in northeastern Guizhou province is the forefront of spread of the Central Plains Cultures to the Yungui Plateau, and remains of Han culture have been excavated including many bronzes. Alloy compositions and lead isotope analyses were conducted on 15 Eastern Han dynasty bronze artifacts from three sites of Wuchuan. The results indicate that Eastern Han dynasty bronzes from Wuchuan are mainly lead-tin bronze, and the lead isotope ratios show the provenance of lead material. The lead material of Eastern Han dynasty bronzes in Wuchuan has changed significantly from Western Han dynasty, and the source of lead material is more complex and at least four sources of ore, reflecting the development of several lead mines in Yungui Plateau during Eastern Han dynasty. This study finds that lead mineral source of one bronze from Wuchuan with high radiogenic lead may originate from lead mine in Zhaotong area of north-eastern Yunnan, which is an important evidence for the early exploitation of this mine.
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