Journal of Nanjing University(Natural Sciences), Volume. 61, Issue 4, 562(2025)

Study on manufacturing techniques and origins of low⁃temperature glazed wares unearthed at the Tangchaodun site

Xu Siwen1, Ren Guan2, Du Meng2, Ali Aarab1, and Yang Yimin1、*
Author Affiliations
  • 1Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
  • 2Institute of History, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
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    The Tangchaodun site is situated in Qitai County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, along a critical transportation route of the Land Silk Road. To reveal the manufacturing techniques and origins of low-temperature glazed wares unearthed from this site during the 12th-14th centuries CE, we analyzed their chemical composition and microstructure using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that these sherds can be divided into glazed pottery and fritware, with glaze types including lead glaze, lead-alkali glaze, and alkali glaze. Lead glazed pottery exhibits green (copper) and yellow (iron) colors. The pottery with a low-Al glaze type is coated with a slip containing pyrophyllite, likely sourced from West Asia, whereas the pottery with a high-Al type originates from north China. Turquoise lead-alkali glazed pottery shows a distinct West Asian style, colored by copper without the use of tin-based opacifiers or slip. The opacifying effect is achieved through Mie scattering caused by diopside, quartz, and bubbles in the glaze. Alkali glazed fritware features blue and black; the underglaze-black contains chromite, and its low manganese content suggests raw materials sourced from northeast Iran. The study provides important evidence for the trade networks and cultural exchanges of low-temperature glazed ceramics along the Land Silk Road during the 12th to 14th centuries CE.

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    Xu Siwen, Ren Guan, Du Meng, Ali Aarab, Yang Yimin. Study on manufacturing techniques and origins of low⁃temperature glazed wares unearthed at the Tangchaodun site[J]. Journal of Nanjing University(Natural Sciences), 2025, 61(4): 562

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    Paper Information

    Received: Apr. 10, 2025

    Accepted: Aug. 22, 2025

    Published Online: Aug. 22, 2025

    The Author Email: Yang Yimin (yiminyang@ucas.ac.cn)

    DOI:10.13232/j.cnki.jnju.2025.04.003

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