A metallurgical technology investigation of the Wangxiangping ancient smelting sites at Daye County, Hubei Province

Abstract

In the spring of 2022, the Beijing University of Science and Technology conducted an archaeometallurgical survey at the Wangxiangping site in Daye County. This exploratory excavation revealed pottery and metal smelting artifacts dating back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Charcoal samples from the third stratigraphic layer were carbon-dated to as early as the late Shang Dynasty. The SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) method was utilized for analyzing metallurgical artifacts across all stratigraphic layers at the site. The findings suggest that both pure copper smelting and tin bronze smelting activities were simultaneously conducted at this location. The analysis indicates that secondary copper oxide ore underwent reduction smelting, leading to the production of pure copper and high-grade matte. Additionally, tin ore was used in bronze production, with tin serving as an alloying element. However, no remnants from casting activities were identified during this survey. The investigation and subsequent analytical processes performed at this site provide substantial evidence supporting further research into copper smelting practices in Daye area during Shang and Zhou dynasties.