Spectroscopy and Spectral Analysis, Volume. 44, Issue 8, 2289(2024)

Spectroscopic Analysis and New Findings of Jade Artifacts Unearthed From the Beiyinyangying Site in the Shanghai Museum Collection

GU Xian-zi1...2, ZHENG Xin-yu2, ZHANG Yue-feng1, YI Chuan-zhen2 and QIU Zhi-li1,* |Show fewer author(s)
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    Since their excavation nearly 70 years ago, the jade artifacts from the Beiyinyangying site have been lacking in scientific testing and analysis. To address this issue, 13 jade artifacts from the Beiyinyangying site in the Shanghai Museum collection underwent non-destructive testing and analysis using a super-depth-of-field optical microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF), and Raman spectroscopy. The spectroscopic results confirmed that the jade artifacts were made of micaceous jade, quartzose jade, and idocrase jade. This finding, combined with the previous visual identification results by scholars, reinforces the understanding that nephrite was not widely used during the Beiyinyangying cultural period. Additionally, Raman spectroscopic analysis revealed the presence of special mineral inclusions, such as rutile, monazite, and strengite, in the micaceous jade from the Beiyinyangying site. The jade exhibits high aluminum and low iron geochemical characteristics, indicating that it is a hydrothermal alteration product of intermediate-acidic volcanic rocks, which formed in a high-temperature, Ti-rich geochemical environment. Given the extensive distribution of Mesozoic volcanic and subvolcanic rocks in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River region, there is a possibility of the formation of medium-low temperature hydrothermally altered micaceous rocks. Moreover, considering the archaeological findings of micaceous jade artifacts at multiple prehistoric sites, it is assumed that the raw materials were likely sourced locally. However, further scientific research is necessary to draw a definitive conclusion.

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    GU Xian-zi, ZHENG Xin-yu, ZHANG Yue-feng, YI Chuan-zhen, QIU Zhi-li. Spectroscopic Analysis and New Findings of Jade Artifacts Unearthed From the Beiyinyangying Site in the Shanghai Museum Collection[J]. Spectroscopy and Spectral Analysis, 2024, 44(8): 2289

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    Paper Information

    Received: Apr. 4, 2023

    Accepted: --

    Published Online: Oct. 11, 2024

    The Author Email: Zhi-li QIU (qiuzhili@mail.sysu.edu.cn)

    DOI:10.3964/j.issn.1000-0593(2024)08-2289-07

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