Lead isotope study of the Jin state bronze artifacts from Wayaopo site, Shanxi province, Northwest China

Summary

The Jin state was one of the most important countries in the Spring and Warring Sates period (771BC~221BC). Before the middle Spring period (~576BC), it shared the bronze cultural tradition with the central dynasty (Zhou Royal family). After that, the bronze culture of Jin state was established and is characterized by different types of vessels, decorations and sometimes, manufacturing techniques. Wayaopo site is one of the typical noble family cemeteries of Jin state. In this work, 45 bronze samples from seven tombs were collected for lead isotopic study. The study attempts to provide a new perspective to examine the relationship between Jin state and the Zhou royal family, as well as other important states during that period. It also examines the source of the different vessel types from the same tomb and compares the source of ritual artifacts (such as ding vessels) with that of daily life artifacts (such as bu vessels). It finally discusses the hypothesis of a change in the bronze artifact source through the chronology of the Jin state.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage