The technology of jades excavated at the Western Zhou,Jin Marquis cemetery,Tianma-Qucun,Beizhao, Shanxi province: recognition of tools and techniques

This paper is concerned with the technology of a small but representative sample of thirty nephrite jades from the burial assemblages of the Jin Marquisate excavated at Tianma-Qucun, Beizhao, Shanxi province, north-central China. The jades date mainly from two Bronze Age cultures, the Western Zhou dynasty (c. 1050–771 BC) and the previous Shang dynasty (c. 1600–c. 1050 BC). They include unfinished and finished carvings. The carvings were examined at Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, Houma: following an optical survey of the tool marks, detailed silicone moulds were made from twelve jades bearing evidence of working techniques. The moulds were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at the British Museum, London. Consideration of several characteristics of the moulded features for comparison with moulded experimental standards provided evidence for the tools employed for several stages of working. Extensive use was made of non-rotary rigid saws and thicker files for shaping many parts of the jades, and pointed tools for incising pieces. Use was also made of rotary solid drills for working narrow perforations for openwork and the suspension of jades, and broader tubular drills. Although no evidence of non-rotary string saws, rotary circular saws or smaller incising wheels was seen on the jades, there was evidence for the use of rotary lathes, on which jades were mounted for shaping.