Scientific examination and study of the Qijia culture bronze artifacts from Mogou site in Lintan, Gansu
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Lu Wang
Abstract
The Mogou site in Lintan, Gansu, has yielded the largest collection of Qijia culture bronze artifacts discovered to date. More than 300 bronze artifacts were unearthed, including new forms such as bracelets, neck ornaments, and earrings with trumpet-shaped ends, reflecting the advanced bronze production technology during the late Qijia culture period. This paper presents an analysis of 146 bronze artifacts from the Mogou site, conducted through metallographic microscopy and SEM-EDS analysis. Our results indicate that a relatively high percentage of small ornaments, primarily made of tin bronze, underwent hot forging and cold working, while tools, primarily made of copper and tin-bronze, were typically cast. Furthermore, this study reveals the concurrent existence of leaded tin bronze and arsenical bronze during the late Qijia culture period, suggesting influences from multiple metallurgical systems.
Postscript
The original article 甘肃临潭县磨沟遗址出土齐家文化铜器的分析与研究was published in Kaogu 考古 (Archaeology) 2022.7:71–95 with 15 figures, one table, one appendix table, and 47 notes. This abbreviated English version, translated by Tao Li 李涛, has removed the appendix table and notes.
Further readings
Li, Shuicheng 李水城. 2005. 西北与中原早期冶铜业的区域特征及交互作用 (Regional characteristics and the cultural interactions of early bronze production between northwest China and the Central Plains). Kaogu xuebao 考古学报 (Acta Archaeologica Sinica) 3:239–275.Search in Google Scholar
Metallurgical History Group of the Beijing Steel and Iron Institute 北京钢铁学院冶金史组. 1981. 中国早期铜器的初步研究 (Preliminary study of early bronzes in China). Kaogu xuebao 考古学报 (Acta Archaeologica Sinica) 3:287–302.Search in Google Scholar
Sun, Shuyun 孙淑云, and Rubin Han 韩汝玢. 1997. 甘肃早期铜器的发现与冶炼、制造技术的研究 (Discovery, smelting, and production of early bronzes in Gansu). Wenwu 文物 (Cultural relics) 7:75–84.Search in Google Scholar
© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- New archaeological discoveries
- The Piluo Paleolithic site in Daocheng, Sichuan
- The Huangshan Neolithic site in Nanyang, Henan
- The sacrificial area at the Sanxingdui site in Guanghan, Sichuan
- The Guozishan Warring States tomb M1 in Zhangshu, Jiangxi
- The 2021 excavation on the Zhengjiahu cemetery in Yunmeng, Hubei
- Tang dynasty Tuyuhun royal tombs in Wuwei, Gansu
- Reports
- The excavation of M793 at Liujiazhuang North in Yinxu, Anyang, Henan
- The 2015–2019 excavation of the bronze foundry site at the Huanbei Shang City in Anyang, Henan
- Research
- The Lushanmao site and the formation of the Xitu type architectural tradition
- Archaeological observations on agro-pastoralist integration in south-central Inner Mongolia during the Eastern Zhou
- On crescent-shaped objects of the early Bronze Age in southern Siberia and the surrounding areas
- Further discussion on the origins of horse stirrups
- Research on the pottery decorations and manufacturing techniques of the Houtaomuga Phase I culture
- Scientific examination and study of the Qijia culture bronze artifacts from Mogou site in Lintan, Gansu
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- New archaeological discoveries
- The Piluo Paleolithic site in Daocheng, Sichuan
- The Huangshan Neolithic site in Nanyang, Henan
- The sacrificial area at the Sanxingdui site in Guanghan, Sichuan
- The Guozishan Warring States tomb M1 in Zhangshu, Jiangxi
- The 2021 excavation on the Zhengjiahu cemetery in Yunmeng, Hubei
- Tang dynasty Tuyuhun royal tombs in Wuwei, Gansu
- Reports
- The excavation of M793 at Liujiazhuang North in Yinxu, Anyang, Henan
- The 2015–2019 excavation of the bronze foundry site at the Huanbei Shang City in Anyang, Henan
- Research
- The Lushanmao site and the formation of the Xitu type architectural tradition
- Archaeological observations on agro-pastoralist integration in south-central Inner Mongolia during the Eastern Zhou
- On crescent-shaped objects of the early Bronze Age in southern Siberia and the surrounding areas
- Further discussion on the origins of horse stirrups
- Research on the pottery decorations and manufacturing techniques of the Houtaomuga Phase I culture
- Scientific examination and study of the Qijia culture bronze artifacts from Mogou site in Lintan, Gansu
