北白鹅墓地出土席状编织物的鉴别与研究

Identification and study of mat-like weavings unearthed from the Beibai’e Cemetery

墓葬中出土的植物编织物属于有机质文物,通常保存状况极为不佳,通过有机残留物分析确定其材质是后续保护与价值认知的基础。本研究以北白鹅墓地M1020青铜簋上附着的席状编织物为对象,通过纤维显微观察、植硅体分析、液相色谱质谱联用分析等三种方法进行检测分析,结果表明考古样品的生物来源为芦苇。将其与《礼记·丧大记》和《仪礼·既夕礼》等历史文献相对应,并与考古发掘现场的实际情况相结合,推断出该考古样品的性质是用于丧葬场合的苇席,代表着墓主人“士”阶级的身份,且处于椁盖板下棺盖板上作抵御尘土的抗席之用,在整个下葬过程中扮演过重要角色。研究结果提供了春秋早期丧葬用席的实物证据,有助于了解当时的丧葬制度,也为周王朝东迁后社会景观的复原提供了一个切入点。

Previous studies have focused primarily on inorganic artifacts such as bronze vessels,but given less attention to organic ones.This is due to the susceptibility of organic materials to decay and degradation,often resulting in their complete disappearance or survival only in forms of remnants.The plant weavings unearthed from tombs are organic artifacts,typically found in extremely poor conditions.Identification of their materials through organic residue analysis forms a basis for their subsequent preservation and the better understanding of their value.This study focused on the woven mat-like material attached to a bronze Gui from Tomb M1020 at the Beibai’e Cemetery,using three methods—fiber microscopic observation,phytolith analysis,and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS)—for analysis.Plant fibers could be observed in certain areas of the mat.These fibers were generally short,slender,and exhibited some curvature,often appearing alongside epidermal cells.The observed epidermal cells were elongated and serrated on both sides,with the serrations typically being semi-elliptical in shape,tapering slightly at the top compared to the base.The undispersed epidermal cells were often connected to form a continuous layer,with the serrations interlocking like a zipper.The results of the fiber microscopic observation were consistent with the characteristics of Gramineae plants,particularly reeds.Notably,around the undispersed epidermal cells,fragments of the“reed membrane”with stomata and traces of epidermal cell arrangement were observed.The“reed membrane”was a key marker for identifying reeds.In addition,a statistical analysis of 200 phytoliths was conducted.Among the identifiable ones,over 70%were epidermal phytoliths from Gramineae,with a small number of saddle-shaped phytoliths(from Gramineae)and spinulose phytoliths also present.Among common weaving materials,two types belong to the Gramineae family:bamboo and reed.Referring to previous studies on the microscopic features of ancient reed mats as well as modern reed and bamboo,it is evident that the morphological characteristics and arrangement of the aforementioned phytoliths were consistent with those of reed stem phytoliths,but did not match the microscopic morphology of bamboo stems.The mat-like weaving unearthed from the archaeological site has undergone significant degradation of its organic components due to prolonged burial,resulting in substantial changes in the types and quantities of these components.However,it is still possible for species-specific metabolic small molecules to remain.This study utilized LC-MS to study the mat-like weaving unearthed from Tomb M1020 at the Beibai’e Cemetery,along with reagent blank controls.Compared to the total ion chromatogram of the blank controls,that of the archaeological samples had a few characteristic peaks identified,leading to the identification of 14 small molecules by searching natural product databases.Among them,gomisin O,pterosin B,and methylparaben are plant-derived metabolites,and choline,sphingosine,and phytosphingosine may be of the plant origin.These findings indicate the plant-derived nature of the archaeological samples.This study focused on the mat-like weaving attached to a bronze Gui from Tomb M1020 at the Beibai’e Cemetery.Using fiber microscopic observation and phytolith analysis,it was determined that its biological origin was reed.The plant origin was further verified through LC-MS.Additionally,by correlating the findings with historical texts and the actual conditions at the archaeological excavation site,it was inferred that the archaeological sample was a reed mat,placed between the outer coffin lid and the inner coffin lid for use as a“dust mat”.Furthermore,a large number of mat-like remnants were also found beneath the bottom board of the coffin,where they were well preserved due to their proximity to the original soil.Comparing these remnants with the scientifically analyzed archaeological samples indicates that they were also reed mats,positioned beneath the tomb owner as a“resting mat”.A large number of mat-like weaving remnants were found in Tomb M1020 at the Beibai’e Cemetery,and similar situations are also common in other tombs from the early Spring and Autumn Period.This indicates that the burial mat played an important role throughout the burial process and that the practice of using burial mats was well established during this period.The research findings provide physical evidence of burial mats used during the early Spring and Autumn Period,contributing to a better understanding of the funerary practices of that time.In addition,they offer an entry point for reconstructing the social landscape following the Eastern Migration of the Zhou Dynasty.