New insights into the trade of glass beads along the Silk Road: Analysis of glass beads from Shengjindian, Xinjiang

Abstract

The Shengjindian site, located in Turpan, Xinjiang, Northern China, occupies a key position at the crossroads of the Tianshan Mountain and the Tarim Basin Oasis corridors. Over 300 glass beads unearthed from the site's cemetery have been categorized into nine assemblies, dating back to the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC.-8 A.D.). Provenance analysis of these beads has revealed significant insights into the scale and complexity of the Silk Road trade during this period. Representative glass beads (78 samples) were selected for chemical compositional and microstructural analyses, identifying three chemical groups: soda-lime glass, potash glass, and lead barium glass. The soda-lime and potash glass primarily originated from Central Asia and India-Pakistan, while the lead barium glass was exclusively linked to the Central Plains of China. Microstructural analysis reveals most samples are drawn beads, with some metal foil glass beads. A unique “imitating turquoise glass bead” type was also identified for the first time. Additionally, some assemblies contain glass beads of diverse chemical compositions from different cultural regions, suggesting a distinctive beading trade pattern in Xinjiang. Bead traders from diverse regions transported glass beads to Xinjiang, where local residents personalized the bead assembly based on individual preferences. These findings highlight Xinjiang as a hub of the Silk Road and provide new insights into further understanding of the cultural exchange and trade networks associated with glass beads in Xinjiang, China.