The Guantian site located in Sangzhi County in northwest Hunan Province, China. It is a low-level settlement and possibly an iron casting and processing site that existed during the Han and Jin periods (202 BCE–AD 420) in the Wuling Mountains region. Analysis of the excavated iron objects from the site reveals that they were mainly made from pig iron, malleable cast iron, and low-carbon steel. The metallurgical ceramic fragments may reflect the existence of melting process. Both casting and forging, with evidence of quenching technique were used in the producing process. Decarburization of cast iron in solid state was the main method of obtaining steel. Since during the Eastern Han dynasty (AD 25–220), the aboriginal in the Wuling Mountains region gradually became stronger, the use of iron-casting and processing technology played an important role in promoting regional social development of the Wuling Man (minorities in the Wuling Mountains region).
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