Metallographic analysis of the recent excavated domestic iron objects from Muyi, Yunnan Province, China

Abstract

Archaeological evidence shows that the use of iron in Yunnan could be dated to as early as the Warring States Period (fifth to third century BCE). There are large numbers of iron objects excavated from Yunnan, but very limited metallurgical analysis was studied. Iron objects excavated from the Muyi site provide an opportunity to study the iron production technologies in Yunnan during the Han dynasty (202 BCE–220 CE). Three metallographic samples were prepared and analysed. This is the second metallographic analysis of fu-pot and the first analysis of iron stands excavated from Yunnan. It shows that mottled cast iron and decarburized cast iron were used in Yunnan during the Han dynasty, and the results are discussed in relation to other studies of iron objects discovered in Yunnan and elsewhere of China.