Material characterization of forged bronzes from ancient China (c. 11th-2nd century BCE) reveals development of the non-mainstream metalworking technique in Chinese bronze production

IF 2.6 1区 地球科学 Q1 ANTHROPOLOGY Journal of Archaeological Science Pub Date : 2024-11-05 DOI:10.1016/j.jas.2024.106108
Xintian Zhang, Yazheng Wang, Yifan Liang, Quanyu Wang
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Abstract

Although ceramic piece-mould casting was the dominant metalworking technique in the Chinese Bronze Age (c. 2100-221 BCE), the forging technique was also employed by craftsmen to pursue lightweight bronzes with thin walls and high hardness. However, compared to the ceramic piece-mould casting technique, research on forging technology is relatively limited. In this research, 48 sheet metal fragments of Chinese bronzes from different regions and periods (from the Zhou to Han dynasties) across China were analyzed by metallography, SEM-EDS, and hardness testing. The results show that craftsmen had a profound understanding of copper alloy properties and were able to produce thin-walled, functional artifacts by forging cast blanks with appropriate alloy compositions. With the development of forging technology and political changes, the types of forged thin-walled bronzes became more diverse, and their consumers expanded from the elite to civilians. This study not only reveals the material characterization of forged bronzes, but also elucidates the historical trajectories of forging technology and the multifaceted interplay between cultural influence, aesthetic pursuits and technological advancement in the development of forging techniques in ancient China.
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中国古代(约公元前 11-2 世纪)锻造青铜器的材料特征揭示了中国青铜生产中非主流金属加工技术的发展历程
虽然陶模铸造是中国青铜时代(约公元前 2100-221 年)最主要的金属加工技术,但工匠们也采用锻造技术来追求壁薄、硬度高的轻质青铜器。然而,与陶瓷片模铸造技术相比,对锻造技术的研究相对有限。本研究通过金相学、扫描电镜-电子显微镜和硬度测试,分析了来自中国不同地区和时期(从周代到汉代)的 48 件青铜器金属片。结果表明,工匠们对铜合金性能有着深刻的了解,能够通过锻造具有适当合金成分的铸坯,制作出薄壁的功能性器物。随着锻造技术的发展和政治的变迁,锻造薄壁青铜器的类型变得更加多样化,其消费者也从上层社会扩展到平民百姓。本研究不仅揭示了锻造青铜器的材料特征,还阐明了锻造技术的历史轨迹,以及中国古代锻造技术发展过程中文化影响、审美追求和技术进步之间的多方面相互作用。
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来源期刊
Journal of Archaeological Science
Journal of Archaeological Science 地学-地球科学综合
CiteScore
6.10
自引率
7.10%
发文量
112
审稿时长
49 days
期刊介绍: The Journal of Archaeological Science is aimed at archaeologists and scientists with particular interests in advancing the development and application of scientific techniques and methodologies to all areas of archaeology. This established monthly journal publishes focus articles, original research papers and major review articles, of wide archaeological significance. The journal provides an international forum for archaeologists and scientists from widely different scientific backgrounds who share a common interest in developing and applying scientific methods to inform major debates through improving the quality and reliability of scientific information derived from archaeological research.
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