Luminescence study of the initial, pre-casting firing temperatures of clay mould and core used for bronze casting at Yinxu (13c. BC similar to 11c. BC)

摘要

During the Anyang period in Shang dynasty (13c.BC similar to 11c.BC), the bronze manufacture of Ancient China reached its maximum glory and splendor, as evidenced by the casting moulds and cores unearthed in the Yinxu. The pre-casting firing temperature of the moulds, one of the key technologies in the casting system, is still a controversial issue. In this article, the firing temperature of the mould and the core, unearthed at the Xiaomintun Site, Yin ruins, is estimated to be 600 degrees C-700 degrees C, analyzed by luminescence techniques. This study can settle down the dispute in the results of the thermal expansion analysis. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.