Scientific Study Of The Shang Dynasty Bronzes Unearthed From Western Shanxi

Western Shanxi,include the mountainous of Western Shanxi that from Lvliang mountain to the east coast of the Yellow River.Also include Taiyuan basin and Linfen basin in Fen river drainage basin.The Shang Dynasty bronzes in Western Shanxi be unearthed from Youyu County,Baode County,Liulin County,Shilou County,Yonghe County,Daning County,Xi County,Fushan County,Hongtong County,Xinfu District and so on.In this paper,the Shang Dynasty bronzes unearthed from Western Shanxi as research object.Detecting and analyzing manufacturing techniques,elemental composition and lead isotope rations of bronzes unearthed from Western Shanxi.Discussing the characteristics of bronzes manufacturing techniques,metallurgical technology and resource provenance.In addition,about elemental composition and lead isotope rations,contrast to the Shang Dynasty bronzes unearthed form other areas and the Western Zhou Dynasty bronzes unearthed form other areas of Shanxi.Analysis and research show that there is no different between the Shang Dynasty bronzes unearthed from Western Shanxi and unearthed from Yin Ruins in manufacturing techniques.The diversity of metal materialin Western Shanxi is shown by four major alloys,which have been identified as leaded tin copper,tin copper,leaded copper and unalloyed copper.Leaded tin copper and tin copper occupied the main position,and leaded tin bronzes are the largest amount of various types of bronzes.Little leaded copper and unalloyed copper are discovered.The first period to the third period of Yin Ruins bronzes in other areas and bronzes unearthed form the Shang Dynasty in Western Shanxi are basically the same.The early Shang Dynasty bronzes,the fourth period of Yin Ruins bronzes and the Western Zhou Dynasty bronzes are different from Western Shanxi bronzes.Furthermore,also found three arsenical copper.The research of resource provenance showed that bronzes unearthed from Western Shanxi coexistence highly radioactive lead and common lead.The Shang Dynasty bronzes unearthed from Western Shanxi used the same highly radioactive lead ores with the Shang Dynasty bronzes unearthed from other areas.There is no difference in minerals choice between different type of alloy,different type of utensils and different cultural communications of bronzes.