Provenance study on Chinese bronze artefacts of E in the Zhou Dynasty by lead isotope analysis

Lead isotope ratios of eight Chinese bronze artefacts from the Xiaxiangpu site (Nanyang City, Henan Province) were analysed and compared with those of natural ores and other Chinese bronze artefacts. This study attempts to find out the isotopic characteristics of bronze artefacts from the late Western Zhou to the early Eastern Zhou period by taking the bronzes of E as an example. Another important aspect of the study is to test whether there is an associated signature for bronze production between the state of E and the Zhou royal court or other vassal states. The political and economic status of E and other vassal states in the turn of the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty is also within the scope of the study. The elemental concentrations suggest the lead should be introduced on purpose, and the lead isotopes represent the provenance information of lead ores. The results of lead isotope analysis show that the lead isotope ratios conform to the characteristics of common lead. As the isotope ratios of the eight samples are quite close to each other, all these samples may share a common lead ore source. The lead ore deposits around Chengxian County seem to be the most likely sources of lead which was mined and used for making the Xiaxiangpu bronzes. According to historical documents, the state of E was defeated by troops from northwest China. The comparison of the Xiaxiangpu bronzes with bronze artefacts from Gansu Province, Shaanxi Province and Shanxi Province shows many overlaps. After the state of E lost its power, it might have become economically subservient to the states in the northwest. Therefore, the states in northwest China had the opportunity to keep growing. (c) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.