| In China, metallurgical activities before the Shang Dynasty are considered as early metallurgical activities. In this thesis, the so-called'early metals and metallurgical relics'are those dated before 1600 BC and they are mainly copper and its alloys, as well as slags. The analytical study of these relics is of great significance for understanding the origins of bronze metallurgy in China and cultural exchanges between the West and China in the early Bronze Age.For its unique geographical location and the discovery of a large number of early metals and metallurgy relics, the region of Gansu-Qinghai occupies an important place in the exloration of early development of bronze metallurgy in Northwest China. This thesis reports the analysis results of 45 samples of metals and slags, which were recovered from 5 archaeological sites, namely Zongri and Gamatai in Qinghai, Mogou, Huoshaogou and Heishuiguo in Gansu. The analysis results show that the co-existence of copper and bronze as well as the use of arsenical copper are two major characteristics of early metallurgy in Gansu-Qinghai. A distinctive feature of the Qijia metals is the co-employment of casting and hot-forging in object manufacturing. The discovery of a smelting site at the Heishuiguo site in Zhangye, Hexi Corridor provides important eviedence for metallurgical activities in the early Bronze Age in Northwest China.The discovery of a number of arsenical copper among the Qijia metals recovered at the sites of Zongri, Gamatai, and Mogou is of great importance. Especially, the arsenical copper objects found among the Zongri metals are the earliest examples of arsenical copper known so far in Northwest China. This discovery will force us to reconsider not only the evolution of metal technology of the Qijia culture, but also the cultural connections and interactions between the Qijia culture and the Siba culture. It will advance our understanding of the origins and early development of bronze metallurgy in Northwest China.
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