Making the First Emperor’s Chariots—High-temperature Bronze Connection Technologies in Qin Dynasty China

Abstract

Since the discovery of two bronze chariots at Qin Shihuang’s mausoleum in 1978, the technical methods used by skilled artisans to construct them has remained a question of scholarly interest. While the parts and joints of the chariots have been studied, the complex metal technologies used to assemble the chariots has not been analysed in detail. This article examines the high-temperature connection technologies used to assemble the around 5500 metal parts of the two chariots and divides them into two major types: cast joints and welded joints. It categorises the cast joints, including embedded-casting and package-casting, and the welded joints as three types based on different methods. Through examination of the bronze chariots, this study demonstrates that the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) built on Bronze Age technologies to reach new heights of excellence in a post-Bronze Age.