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.

Cattle Feed Resource,Water Sources and Housing System in the Central Rift Valley of Oromia Regional State,Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Adami Tulu Jidokombolcha(ATJK),Bora,Dodola,Shala and Negele-Arsi districts with objective to assess main cattle feed resources,water sources and housing systems.A pre-tested,semi-structured questionnaire was used to conduct survey.About 240 respondents were identified using random sampling techniques.Collected data was analyzed by SPSS statistical software(Ver.24).Study result indicates that household in average had three hectares of land and allocated about two hectares of land for crop cultivation.Most respondents reported that cattle herding is not common during dry season while it is common during wet season.Survey result indicate that natural pasture,weed and maize tiller and stored crop residues are main feed resources in wet season while crop after math,crop residue and fodder trees are main resources during dry season.Brackish,local mineral and common salt are mineral sources for cattle in study areas.Lake,river and boreholes are important water sources in dry season where as ponds and rivers are main water sources during wet season for their cattle.The observed cattle watering frequency is mainly once a day.Housing system practiced in the study areas is mainly Kraal.The information generated from this study on land size per household,cattle herding system,feed resources,mineral sources,water sources,water utilization and housing type can be used as a baseline for any livestock development programs in those and similar areas.