Background:
Bronze knives, which have been excavated in large quantities and acquired
hierarchical significance, are essential artifacts in Shu State in Southwest China. Building upon previous typological analyses of bronze knives, it is hypothesized that Shu culture may have imported
foreign-style bronze knives. However, further demonstration of the provenance of metal materials,
the typology of knives, and the cultural exchange necessitates a comprehensive examination through
the lens of scientific analysis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in the manufacturing processes and metal resources of Shu bronze knives with various cultural styles and whether bronze knives in the foreign styles were imported or locally imitated.
Methods:
In this study, the typology, portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and multi-collector
inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used to analyze twenty-four bronze knives unearthed from Shuangyuan cemetery, a cemetery of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, Southwest China.
Results:
The results of the study show that the knives of Shuangyuan Cemetery can be classified
typologically into five types, encompassing both local and foreign styles. The predominant alloy
composition of these knives is lead-tin bronze, characterized by a notably high tin content. Lead
isotope ratios indicate that metal materials from the South China geochemical province and Yangtze
geochemical province were mainly used to manufacture the bronze knives unearthed from the Shu
state
Conclusion:
While the majority of foreign-style knives with ring-shaped heads were likely imported
from neighboring regions like Chu state, distinctively styled type D and type E bronze knives appear
to have been locally imitated by the Shu, showcasing a blend of external influences and indigenous
innovation. The combination of typology and scientific analysis of the bronze knife may shed new
light on the study of the Shu culture of the Eastern Zhou period.
