Scientific analysis on the Han bronze wares unearthed from Xiangyang, Hubei Province, China

This study discusses the bronzes of the Han Dynasty unearthed from Xiangyang, Hubei Province, to study their production and provenance. Metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscope energy dispersive (SEM-EDS), and multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) were used to analyze bronze samples. The results of composition analysis show that, in addition to reducing production costs, the appearance of low-tin vessels in Xiangyang during the Han Dynasty may also be related to the further development of bronze production techniques. The lead isotope data show that in the early Western Han period, the minerals used for bronzes from the Eastern Zhou period continued to be used in the Xiangyang area; after the mid-Western Han period, being under the jurisdiction of Nanyang Prefecture, the lead ore used in Xiangyang bronzes most likely derive from Nanyang area; in addition, a small number of bronzes likely used minerals from southern Anhui and Yunnan, which are presumed to have circulated to the Xiangyang area in a customized manner. Lastly, the first detection of bronze vessels containing highly radiogenic lead (HRL) in the Western Han Dynasty provides new material for further research into the use of HRL in ancient China.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the bronzes of the Han Dynasty excavated from Xiangyang, Hubei Province, analyzing their composition using metallographic microscopy, SEM-EDS, and MC-ICP-MS. The results suggest that the appearance of low-tin vessels in Xiangyang during the Han Dynasty is likely due to both cost reduction and advancements in bronze production techniques. Lead isotope analysis indicates that the minerals used for bronzes in Xiangyang were sourced from the Eastern Zhou period and later from the Nanyang area. Additionally, some bronzes may have used minerals from southern Anhui and Yunnan, suggesting a customized circulation to the Xiangyang area.