Scientific Analysis of Ornaments Unearthed From M2 of Sailaqinbopu
Locus, Qulong Site, Tibet
LÜ Xin-yan1, 2, LIU Yan1, 2, YANG Fu-wei1, 2*, YU Chun1, 2*, XI Lin3, Shange Wangdwei4, ZHANG Kun1, 2, XIAN Yi-heng1, 2
1. Department of Preservation Technology for Cultural Heritage, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
2. Key Laboratory of Cultural Heritage Research and Conservation, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China
3. Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, Xi’an 710043, China
4. Tibet’s Institute of Cultural Relic Preservation, Lhasa 850030, China
Abstract：The Qulong Site, located in Ngari Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region, is a relic of human activities with a long duration and rich types of remains. The ornaments studied in this paper were excavated from tomb No.2(M2) of Sailaqinbopu Locus, the Qulong Site, dating back to about 2700~2400 years ago. Due to the processing and grinding during production and the weathering and erosion suffered by long-term underground burial, it is impossible to judge the raw materials of the eight ornaments only from their appearance. Therefore, ultra-depth of field microscopic analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction experimental analysis (XRD), thermal analysis (TGA-DSC), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and porous material density, porosity, water absorption test were used not only to determine the chemical composition and raw material source of ornaments, but also to scientifically and comprehensively analyze its microscopic morphology, shape and structure characteristics and preservation condition. The results show that the raw materials of eight ornaments come from the pearl layer of different freshwater shellfish shells, and the main components are aragonite calcium carbonate, with a small amount of organic matter and trace elements such as Fe, Ba, Cr, Cu; there are grinding marks on the surface of the ornaments, and the drilling method is drilling from both sides, and holes of thicker ornaments are drilled with a bit; the overall weathering is serious, luster is no longer and all have a certain degree of crisp powder, porosity and water absorption rate of the open holes are higher than the modern shell, and the main reason for these diseases is the loose and disorderly shell pearl layer aragonite plates caused by loss of organic matter. On the one hand, the above research conclusions provide important information on the material selection, shape and production technology of ornaments in the Xiangxiong period in western Tibet, and reflect the situation and aesthetic connotation of shellfish use in society at that time. On the other hand, they also provide valuable reference materials for the subsequent protection and restoration of such unearthed cultural relics.
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