Mining and Trading of Ancient Lapis Lazuli: The Exploration for A Combination of Twofold Evidence Based on Historical Documents and Archaeology Discovery

Lai Shuqi, Qiu Zhili, Yang Jiong, Luo Han, Zheng Xinyu, Ye Xu
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Abstract

Lapis lazuli with a vivid and bright imperial blue colour was used widely in Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, ancient India, ancient Rome, ancient China and other early ancient civilizations. However, due to the lack of producing areas and the constraints of archaeological materials, the domestic understanding of the origin, trade and cultural exchange of lapis lazis is still relatively limited. Based on the research at home and abroad, this study aimed to systematically sorting and summarizing the previous results of exploitation, trade route and employment of lapis lazuli, which provides reference for the interdisciplinary research of gemmology, archaeology, and other disciplines. The main results were summarized as follows: (1) Although archaeological findings still can not explain the origin of lapis lazuli found at some sites, geological and archaeological evidences suggest that Afghanistan is the most important source of lapis lazuli; (2) As early as 4500 B.C., the trade of lapis lazuli was well-organized, and three different trade and transportation routes in different time periods (4500 B.C.-3500 B.C., 3500 B.C.-1000 B.C. and 1000 B.C.-early A.D.) can be traced back. In the early stage, land and river transportation were the primary, in the medium-stage, sea transportation developed rapidly, and in the late stage, these three routes were closely combined. Route changes were controlled by multiple factors such as geographical environment, urban rise and fall, and the public demand; (3) Archaeological studies and literature records showed that the use and role of ancient lapis lazuli have changed significantly. The worldwide urban cultural diversification have made the sanctified lapis lazuli present a variety forms of use, and simultaneously it shows ancient people's multifarious cognition on the colour of lapis lazuli. The researches of lapis lazuli material resource exploitation, trading and uses in international academia can provide us important reference to explore the development and circulation of jade in early ancient China.
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古代青金石的开采与交易:历史文献与考古发现双重证据结合的探索
天青石具有鲜明明亮的皇家蓝色,在美索不达米亚、古埃及、古印度、古罗马、古代中国等早期古文明中被广泛使用。但由于产地缺乏和考古资料的限制,国内对青金石的产地、贸易、文化交流等方面的认识还比较有限。本研究在国内外研究的基础上,对前人关于青金石开采、贸易路线和利用的研究成果进行系统整理和总结,为宝石学、考古学等学科的交叉研究提供参考。主要研究结果如下:(1)尽管考古发现仍不能解释部分遗址发现的青金石的来源,但地质和考古证据表明,阿富汗是青金石最重要的产地;(2)早在公元前4500年,青金石贸易就已组织完善,形成了不同时期(公元前4500 -3500年、公元前3500 -1000年和公元前1000 -公元早期)三条不同的贸易和运输路线。早期以陆运和内河运输为主,中期以海运快速发展,后期三者紧密结合。路线变化受地理环境、城市兴衰、公众需求等多重因素控制;(3)考古研究和文献记载表明,古代青金石的用途和作用发生了重大变化。世界范围内城市文化的多样化,使被神圣化的青金石呈现出多种多样的使用形式,同时也显示出古人对青金石色彩的多元认知。国际学术界对青金石物质资源开发、交易和利用的研究,为我们探索中国古代早期玉石的发展和流通提供了重要的参考。
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