The lead ores circulation in Central China during the early Western Han Dynasty: A case study with bronze vessels from the Gejiagou site

This study first publishes lead isotope data of bronze vessels from Central China in Western Han Dynasty and attempts to find out the lead ores circulation of this time by taking bronzes from the Gejiagou site (Nanyang City, Henan Province) as an example. The elemental concentrations suggest the lea...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2018-11, Vol.13 (11), p.e0205866-e0205866
Main Authors: Chen, Dian, Luo, Wugan, Zeng, Qingshuo, Cui, Benxin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alloys - analysis
Alloys - chemistry
Archaeology
Bronze
Bronzes
Case reports
Case studies
China
Culture
Dynasties
Earth Sciences
Engineering and Technology
Iron
Isotope ratios
Isotopes
Isotopes - analysis
Laboratories
Lead
Lead - analysis
Lead isotopes
Lead ores
Metallurgy
Metals, Heavy
Minerals
Museums
Nobility
Ores
Paleontology
People and places
Physical Sciences
Research and Analysis Methods
Social Sciences
Sulfur
Vessels
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Summary:This study first publishes lead isotope data of bronze vessels from Central China in Western Han Dynasty and attempts to find out the lead ores circulation of this time by taking bronzes from the Gejiagou site (Nanyang City, Henan Province) as an example. The elemental concentrations suggest the lead should be introduced on purpose and indicate the provenance information of lead ores. All the lead isotope ratios conform to the characteristics of common lead and most of them are similar to Nanyang local lead ores. The lead of another two bronzes, NY9 and NY13, should be imported from southern China. Combined with the historical background of early Western Han Dynasty, the wider range of the lead ore circulation may be an indicator for, as the loose policy, economic prosperity and transportation improvement.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0205866