Scientific Analysis of Garnet Beads Unearthed from Tomb Dated to Han Dynasty in Jiuzhiling, Hepu, Guangxi
WANG Ya-wei1, 2, DONG Jun-qing1, LI Qing-hui1*
1. Center of Sci-Tech Archaeology, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China
2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Abstract：To ascertain the material, making technique, and possible sources of raw materials of some purple gemstone bead ornaments unearthed from the tomb dated to Han Dynasty in Jiuzhiling, Hepu, Guangxi, eight beads were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), Raman spectroscopy and Digital microscope system. The results of XRF and Raman spectroscopy showed that these beads were made of pyralspite garnet group endmember species. They have similar chemical compositions to that of almandine-garnets, except one sample attributed to almandine-pyrope garnet. We discussed the processing techniques and the possible sources of the garnet beads based on the mark evidence obtained by Digital microscope system, and the recent results of archaeological and scientific researches. The rotary grinding-stone technique and the spherical polishing-leather bag technique were used for grinding and polishing these beads, and a double-diamond drills was used to drill the beads from both sides. It can be concluded that the batch of garnet gemstone beads were imported to Hepu from South Asia by way of Southeast Asia or from South Asia along maritime Silk Road. The beads analyzed in this paper are important evidences of the Maritime Silk Road trade in Han Dynasty. It is significant for the studies of the history and cultural exchange on the maritime Silk Road.
Key words：Raman spectroscopy; Micro-mark analysis; Garnet beadornaments; Making techniques
王亚伟，董俊卿，李青会. 广西合浦九只岭汉墓出土石榴子石珠饰的科学分析[J]. 光谱学与光谱分析, 2018, 38(01): 104-110.
WANG Ya-wei, DONG Jun-qing, LI Qing-hui. Scientific Analysis of Garnet Beads Unearthed from Tomb Dated to Han Dynasty in Jiuzhiling, Hepu, Guangxi. SPECTROSCOPY AND SPECTRAL ANALYSIS, 2018, 38(01): 104-110.
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