Primary Study Of Bronze Artifacts In Ancient Jun State

Over the past two years, archaeologists have conducted several archaeological surveys in and around the Qiaojiayuan site, Yun County, Hubei Province, China. In the process, four tombs were discovered and excavated, all dated to the Autumn-Spring Period of ancient China (770-476 B.C., the formative period of Chinese civilization). More importantly, each tomb contained the remains of a single individual. This is the first time since the foundation of People's Republic of China that archaeologists have discovered Autumn-Spring Period tombs complete with intact burials within the boundary of Hubei province.According to historical documents, the Qiaojiayuan site is geographically located within the boundary of the ancient Jun state. During this time period, tombs were reserved for the powerful and elite members of society.The archaeological excavations unearthed a total of 132 artifacts, of which the bronzes played the main part (around 71 pieces). The typical bronzes of the period consist of elaborate vessels of interlaced designs known as Ding, Pan, Yi, Fou, Gui, and Ge. Swords and other articles were also made of bronze. For its significance to the study of the culture of ancient Jun, the Qiaojiayuan site was awarded "The National Significant Archaeological New Findings" in 2006.According to historical records, ancient Jun had a very long-time history. Through the periods of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, Jun maintained a very close relationship with each of these dynasties as they were represented in the Zhongyuan district. By the Spring-Autumn Period, ancient Jun had established a close association with the Chu state. What remained unknown are the details of these relationships, associations and alliances. Through the systematic examination of excavated bronzes from ancient Jun, we should be able to: 1) trace the background of relationships between ancient Jun and dynasties in Zhongyuan district, as well as the relationship between Jun and Chu; and 2) broaden our knowledge about ancient Jun civilization and culture.The main research in this dissertation is divided into five parts: 1) The Provenance Study of Ores for Bronze Casting.With a combined use of ICP-AES, XRF, and other analytical methods, we will complete a trace-element analysis on the excavated bronzes from the Qiaojiayuan site. Through a carefully selection of trace elements for cluster analysis, we expect to identify the provenance of the ores that were used for bronzes casting by the craftsman of ancient Jun.To this end, the archaeological surveys located a very large ancient mining site, the An Cheng East Zhou copper mining site, nearby. We have carefully and systematically surveyed this site and its surroundings, and sampled the ores. For the sake of comparison, we also sampled the ores from the Zhaobishan copper mining sites within Ningxia Province and from the Tonglvshan copper mining sites within Hubei Province. The former is traditionally believed to be under the control of the Zhongyuan dynasties, while the latter belonged to the ancient Chu state.By use of ICP-AES analysis, we want to find out whether the ores chosen for bronze casting in ancient Jun are from the An Cheng East Zhou copper mining site or some other site. If the results indicate the ores are not from An Cheng East Zhou mining site, then we will have to do some additional revisit our work and address a new question: is there a close relationship between the bronzes excavated from ancient Jun and the copper mining sites somewhere else, e.g., the Zhaobishan copper mining site or the Tonglvshan copper mining site?2) The Search for the Original Casting Place for the Jun Bronzes.Our previous research made use of both ICP-AES and XRF methods to analyze the finely-ground clay found in bronzes as well as the soils from excavation sites and clay moulds found nearby. Using a cluster analysis, we were able to identify what seemed to be a very close relationship between the trace-elements both in the finely-ground clay and the soils from the original casting places for bronzes. This relationship was also observed and reaffirmed in the archaeological evidence. So, in our current research, we will be using this method to determine if the Jun bronzes were cast nearby or in some other place.3) The Aim to Better Understand Bronze Production Technology.The production technology of ancient bronzes is a very important topic in the discussion about bronze cultural civilization. In the research, we are using XRF analysis and metallurgical information to examine the composition of alloys and their microstructure. In order to better understand the microstructure of ancient bronzes, we also did casting experiments.4) Corrosion Studies and Studies for Conservation Work.By combining the analyses of corrosion products through XRD, RM, and XRF with analyses of soil, marine environments, etc., we can better understand how some corroded bronzes were so well preserved, while others were not. This study can also provide meaningful information for conservation and restoration work.5) The aim to Better Understand Remnant Substance on Bronzes.By use of FT-IR, RM, and XRF analysis, we want to find out whether the remnant substance on bronzes belongs to organic material or inorganic material. If the results indicate the remnant substance belongs to organic material, then we will have to do more research and find out what kind of material may it be? From this study, we can better understand the adhering material on ancient bronzes, and the tanbark technology of ancient China.From a larger perspective, the overall goal of this research is to develop a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of Jun culture. Most importantly, we are treating the bronzes as proxy for the human actions of this ancient state. We believe that integrating these four technical components of archaeological analysis within a broader context focused on the interaction between Jun culture and the materials it produced, we should be able to develop a more complete picture of the history of ancient Jun.