LIME PLASTER AS AN ADHESIVE FOR HAFTING EIGHTEENTH-DYNASTY FLINT SICKLES FROM TELL EL DAB'A,EASTERN NILE DELTA (EGYPT)*

A combination of analytical techniques, including thin-section observations, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analysis, was applied to study the nature and origin of an adhesive used for mounting flint sickle blades to a wooden handle, recovered from early Eighteenth Dynasty culture layers of the multi-layer settlement at Tell el Dab'a, Lower Eygpt. The results obtained from these investigations led to the conclusion that the adhesive is a pure lime plaster, thus providing the oldest evidence for the use of this material as a binding agent so far known in ancient Egypt.     

APPLICATIONS OF PETROGRAPHY AND ELECTRON MICROPROBE ANALYSIS TO THE STUDY OF INDIAN STONE SCULPTURE*

Examples of research on ancient Indian stone artefacts utilizing petrographic examination coupled with qualitative and quantitative electron beam microprobe analysis of specific minerals are described. Types of artefacts discussed include Gandharan schist sculptures. Pala dynasty phyllite and schist objects from eastern India, Hoysala sculptures from Karnataka state (southern India), and sandstone objects from northern India. In spite of the rich history of stone sculpture in the Indian subcontinent, characterization studies to date have been limited in scope, typically involving unprovenanced artefacts. The examples described point to areas in which more extensive research could produce useful information for the provenancing of artefacts.     

A SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF TRADITIONAL KOREAN CELADONS AND THEIR MODERN DEVELOPMENTS

Eighty sherds from nine different kiln sites representing a wide geographic distribution and a long time span of Korean celadon culture are analysed for macroscopic and compositional characteristics. Additionally chemical and mineral compositions of six unglazed sherds are compared with those of some modern raw materials. Unusually high values of alumina in the earliest Kangjin pieces of the middle ninth and early tenth century (I¹) could represent a significant technological innovation at the end of this period at this most important celadon production centre. Similarity in chemical and mineral compositions between unglazed sherds and some raw materials such as Kangjin clay and pottery stone show the possibility that many of the celadons were made from these types of raw materials as found in nature without additives and only after mechanical refining.     

RESEARCH ON THE PIGMENTS FROM PAINTED CERAMICS EXCAVATED FROM THE YANGQIAOPAN TOMBS OF THE LATE HAN DYNASTY (48 BC – AD 25)

The analysis of pigments on painted ceramics excavated from the Yangqiaopan Tombs of the late Western Han Dynasty was undertaken using optical microscopy (OM), micro‐Raman spectroscopy (μ‐RS), scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (SEM–EDS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy spectra (FTIR). The pigments were identified as red lead (Pb₃O₄), carbon (C), malachite [Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂], Chinese purple (BaCuSi₂O₆) and illite {[K,H₃O]Al₂Si₃AlO₁₀(OH)₂}. Fibrous materials were observed in some pigment samples. When observed by SEM, one showed a large amount of fibre in solidified gum, which indicated that gum of ramie could have been used as the binding medium to make the pigment particles adhere together. These results provide significant insights into the characteristics of these pigments in the Qin and Han Dynasties.     

明清文献中的“纸赎”和“纸赎银”

现有著作对明清文献中常见的法律术语＂纸赎＂和＂纸赎银＂的解释多有不妥,这两个词语既与商人抵押借款无关,也不是一般用来赎罪的罚金,而是诉讼费的名称,后来成为官吏科敛的一个名目。     

NON-DESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS OF JINGDEZHEN BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAINS

The energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence method is used for the non-destructive qualitative analysis of Jingdezhen blue and white porcelains, which include the imperial wares of the Yongle, Xuande, Chenghua, Jiajing and Wanli periods of the Ming dynasty, the imperial wares of the Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang and Guangxu periods of the Qing dynasty, and those of the Republic and the contemporary period. The distribution pattern of the X-ray fluorescence intensities of the six characteristic elements for porcelain manufactured at different times has been investigated.     

X-RAY FLUORESCENCE CHARACTERIZATION OF MING-DYNASTY PORCELAIN RESCUED FROM A SPANISH SHIPWRECK

A radioisotope induced X-ray fluorescence method was used to measure trace elements in Ming porcelain. Thirty pieces of blue-and-white Chinese porcelain, belonging to the Ch'eng Hua reign (AD 1465-87) and rescued from a shipwreck, were analysed along with two fake reproductions. The measurement system consisted of an Si(Li) detector, a ¹⁰⁹Cd annular source and a personal computer with a non-linear fitting least-square program. The relative intensity ratios of manganese, cobalt, rubidium, strontium, zirconium, and niobium were determined. Rb/Sr and Mn/Co ratios between two to five and two to four respectively correspond to antique porcelain.     

PROVENANCE STUDIES OF KOREAN CELADONS OF THE KORYǑ PERIOD BY NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS*

Neutron activation analyses of the body fabric of celadons from the main production sites of the Koryǒ period have shown differences in composition between kilns. Comparison of over 50 celadon objects in the collections of the British Museum with this data base from the production sites has permitted the assignment of over 40 of the pieces to their kiln of origin The majority show the trace element pattern of the Sadangri kilns, a smaller proportion are assigned to Yuchǒnri, while others are assigned to the kilns at Chinsanri (underglaze iron) and Kyǒngsǒ-dong (unglazed). A representative group of Chinese Yue wares arc clearly different from Koryǒ celadons in trace element composition.     

A COMPARATIVE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF THE EARLIEST KILN SITES OF KORYǑ CELADON*

Four of the Koryǒ dynasty's earliest kiln sites are studied for the macroscopic, compositional, and microstructural characteristics of their celadon products. Recent excavation of Sǒri and surface investigation of Kangjin sites provided new materials for closer examination of the origin and early developments of celadon technology in traditional Korea. Two other sites, Wǒnhǔngni and Osari, with archaeological characteristics in common with the oldest layer of Sǒri, are also examined. Principal component analysis of body composition shows thai Sǒri and Kangjin had better control in their choice of raw materials whereas Wǒnhǔngnt and Osari had much wider scatter, showing the more experimental nature of their operation. The early Kangjin grouped out separately primarily because of their higher Al₂O₃ content, while X-ray diffraction patterns indicate they might have been fired at a higher temperature than other groups. The Korean method of two-step firing, first at a lower temperature to bake imglazed bodies and then at a higher temperature after glazing, is evident from the earliest operations in Kangjin.     

AMALGAM TINNING OF CHINESE BRONZE ANTIQUITIES*

This paper investigates the question whether or not amalgam tinning was used for the plating of bronze objects in pre‐Han and Han dynasty China. The relevant literary sources are reviewed and amalgam tinning is characterized experimentally with regard to its micro‐structure and residual mercury content using metallography and electron microprobe analysis. Examination of a tinning sample from a Warring States dagger previously assumed to be amalgam tinned demonstrates that this was probably not the case, but that a trace of mercury found in the plating is likely to be the result of contamination.