A Metallurgical Technology Investigation of the Wangxiangping Ancient Smelting Sites at Daye County

Abstract

Abstract During the spring of 2022, an archaeo-metallurgical survey was conducted by the Beijing University of Science and Technology at the Wangxiangping site in Daye County. This subsequent testing excavation uncovered pottery and metal smelting relics from the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Charcoal samples extracted from the third stratification can be dated using 14C to as early as the late Shang Dynasty. The SEM-EDS method was employed to analyze the metallurgical relics found in each stratification layer of the site. The analysis revealed that pure copper smelting and tin bronze smelting activities coexisted at this location. Research results suggest that secondary copper oxide ore was used for reduction smelting, resulting in the production of red copper and high-grade 'white' matte. Additionally, tin ore was incorporated to create bronze, with tin serving as the alloy composition. However, no residual artifacts from casting activities were discovered. The survey and detection analysis conducted at this site offer significant evidence and data supporting further research into copper smelting activities in the Daye area during the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

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