The dissemination of Chinese potash-rich faience: investigation of faience beads from the Wupu cemetery, Xinjiang

Abstract

The Wupu cemetery, located in the Yizhou District, Hami City, Xinjiang Province, and in the eastern part of the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, is remains from the late Bronze Age. In this study, four faience beads excavated from the Wupu cemetery were examined by stereomicroscopy, synchrotron radiation micro-CT, and electron microprobe analysis. The appearance and compositions of these faience beads are presented and discussed. The results show that these tubular faience beads, glazed by the application glazing method, are all potash-rich faience, consistent with the faience produced locally in China. The faience products from the Central Plains were disseminated to the Hami region of Xinjiang Province during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046 BC–771 BC), reflecting the spread of such faience to the west with the Zhou people mastering the technique of making potash-rich faience.

A possible production area of Chinese faience? Reference to beads decorating coffins from Shijia Yucun site, Gansu Province

“…The location of Shijia Yucun site and the distribution map of high-potash faience unearthed from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Spring and Autumn period (1, Shangsunjiazhai cemetery; 2, Dabuzishan site; 3, Yujiawan cemetery; 4, Zhuyuangou cemetery; 5, Sanmenxia Guo State cemetery; 6, Liangdaicun cemetery; 7, Quwo Jin Hou tomb; 8, Dahekou cemetery; 9, Hengshui Peng state cemetery; 10, Wanfunao site; 11, Shijia Yucun site; 12, Wupu cemetery; 13, Wangdahu site) (Chen et al, 2021;Lei & Xia, 2015;Lin et al, 2019;Ningxia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Pengyang County Institute of Cultural Relics Management, 2016;Wang, 2019;Wang et al, 2020;Wen et al, 2023).…”