Scientific Investigation on Bronze Swords from Spring-Autumn and Warring States Period

1. Introduction The bronze swords were somewhat important in ancient China. Its alloy constituent analysishas been carried out by some scientist with modern technique. Afterwards, a series of work havebeen published. The main results are: (1) the sword materials are Pb-Sn-bearing bronze with tincontent at 15～19%; (2) it is cast alloy mainly; (3) the rhombus pattern on the sword of Yue King

Diversified manufacturing processes and multiple mineral sources:Features of Warring States bronze vessels excavated from Chutai Cemetery M1,Anhui Province

Northern Anhui was an important region for diverse bronze culture convergence and extensive metal resource circulation in the Pre-Qin Period.In this paper,metallographic microstructure analysis,chemical composition analysis,and lead isotope ratio analysis were conducted on 12 samples of 6 Warring States Period(476–221 BCE)bronze vessels excavated from Chutai Cemetery M1,Fuyang,Anhui Province,revealing the integrated application of diversified manufacturing processes,such as casting,forging,cold working,and welding and multiple metal minerals.The analytical results showed that 2 Ding vessels(鼎)were made by casting,and 2 He vessels(盒)and 2 Dui vessels(敦)were made by forging followed by cold working.These two types of bronze vessels made by different manufacturing processes have significantly distinct alloy ratios and mineral sources,among which the Cu and Sn contents of the 2 cast bronze vessels are lower and the Pb content is higher,while the Cu and Sn contents of the 4 forged bronze vessels are higher and the Pb content is lower.The lead minerals of the two types of bronze vessels might come from Western Henan and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River,respectively.In addition,the 3 pieces of solder used to weld bronze vessels were all made of pure Sn,their metal minerals should come from the densely distributed area of tin ore in Southern China,and Sn solders were mainly discovered in the Chu culture area during the Eastern Zhou Period.

Relationships between Microstructures and Properties of Chinese Ancient Bronzes

The typical morphology of alloy lead（Pb） in ancient bronzes made in the Spring-Autumn Warring States Period（770 B.C.-221 B.C.）,China,was examined by using electron microscopic techniques.We propose that the main purposes for adding metallic Pb in a large quantity into ancient bronzes,such as arrows and ritual vessel-Ding,were for increasing weight and economical reasons.In order to promote adding efficiency and improve casting quality for getting homogenously distributed Pb particles in the bronzes,a process through inserting Pb rod into the mold is supposed to be used during casting,which provided a process for preventing Pb sinkage.Scanning electron microscope（SEM） observations from the fracture surface of the bronzes revealed that the Pb particle possessed a ＂hollow-cored bubble＂ structure,which was formed due to absorbing casting gases during solidification and therefore indirectly eliminated the casting porosity and loosen.