First scientific research to trace the origins of Qin clay sealings

Abstract Clay sealing represents the key physical example of the document sealing system of the Qin dynasty in ancient China. However, only the inscriptions and aesthetic values of clay sealings have been discussed until now, and the relevant sources have not been traced from the perspective of scie...

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Main Authors: Houze Guo, Lu Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2024-12-01
Series:Heritage Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-024-01524-7
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author Houze Guo
Lu Yang
author_facet Houze Guo
Lu Yang
author_sort Houze Guo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Clay sealing represents the key physical example of the document sealing system of the Qin dynasty in ancient China. However, only the inscriptions and aesthetic values of clay sealings have been discussed until now, and the relevant sources have not been traced from the perspective of scientific analysis. A total of 81 clay sealings unearthed in Xi’an were studied via ultra-depth field microscopy, petrographic microstructure analysis and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The relevant methods of tracing and making clay samples are discussed based on the results of the literature investigation and elemental analysis. The composition, technology and spatial links between different clay sealings collected from all over the country show that highly organized sealing materials and systematic processes are important parts of the establishment of unified China. They also provide detailed and effective scientific information that is useful for the future preservation of clay sealings protection and further archaeological research.
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spelling doaj-art-fe8d6954c4824210bfd68e27292e74092025-08-20T01:57:19ZengSpringerOpenHeritage Science2050-74452024-12-0112111310.1186/s40494-024-01524-7First scientific research to trace the origins of Qin clay sealingsHouze Guo0Lu Yang1China-Central Asia “Belt and Road” Joint Laboratory On Human and Environment Research; Key Laboratory of Cultural Heritage Research and Conservation; School of Cultural Heritage, Northwest UniversityChina-Central Asia “Belt and Road” Joint Laboratory On Human and Environment Research; Key Laboratory of Cultural Heritage Research and Conservation; School of Cultural Heritage, Northwest UniversityAbstract Clay sealing represents the key physical example of the document sealing system of the Qin dynasty in ancient China. However, only the inscriptions and aesthetic values of clay sealings have been discussed until now, and the relevant sources have not been traced from the perspective of scientific analysis. A total of 81 clay sealings unearthed in Xi’an were studied via ultra-depth field microscopy, petrographic microstructure analysis and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The relevant methods of tracing and making clay samples are discussed based on the results of the literature investigation and elemental analysis. The composition, technology and spatial links between different clay sealings collected from all over the country show that highly organized sealing materials and systematic processes are important parts of the establishment of unified China. They also provide detailed and effective scientific information that is useful for the future preservation of clay sealings protection and further archaeological research.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-024-01524-7Clay sealings in Qin dynastyMineralogical and geochemical analysisCraftsmanshipCentralization
spellingShingle Houze Guo
Lu Yang
First scientific research to trace the origins of Qin clay sealings
Heritage Science
Clay sealings in Qin dynasty
Mineralogical and geochemical analysis
Craftsmanship
Centralization
title First scientific research to trace the origins of Qin clay sealings
title_full First scientific research to trace the origins of Qin clay sealings
title_fullStr First scientific research to trace the origins of Qin clay sealings
title_full_unstemmed First scientific research to trace the origins of Qin clay sealings
title_short First scientific research to trace the origins of Qin clay sealings
title_sort first scientific research to trace the origins of qin clay sealings
topic Clay sealings in Qin dynasty
Mineralogical and geochemical analysis
Craftsmanship
Centralization
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-024-01524-7
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