An Empirical Study of the Iron Acquisition Strategy of the Nomadic Empire Xiongnu Based on Excavations at Iron Production Sites

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H01341
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 03050:Archaeology-related
• Research Institution: Ehime University
• Principal Investigator: Sasada Tomotaka 愛媛大学, 法文学部, 准教授 (90508764)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 考古学 / 製鉄遺跡 / 匈奴 / モンゴル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Excavations at the Khostin Borag site in Mongolia revealed several iron-making furnaces, an ore-roasting furnace, and a waste soil pit. Radiocarbon dating revealed that the iron manufacturing site dates from the 2nd century B.C. to the 1st century A.D. In addition, an examination of the furnace shape, the excavation of clay tuyeres, and metallurgical analysis of the iron slag revealed some of the characteristics of the iron manufacturing technology. As a result, it is clear that the Xiongnu in the 2nd century B.C. already possessed iron production technology, and that the technological genealogy of the Xiongnu can be traced back to southern Siberia. This was a major discovery that overturned the previous image of the Xiongnu, as it was not mentioned in any Chinese historical texts. This achievement led to the discovery of Xiongnu iron production sites throughout the steppe region, with the exception of the Gobi.

Free Research Field

考古学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで遊牧国家は農耕国家によって記載された歴史書によるネガティブなイメージ（野蛮な殺戮者、文明の破壊者）に支配されてきたため、匈奴の手工業生産は著しく低く見積もられてきた。ホスティン・ボラグ遺跡の発掘成果から匈奴による鉄の独自生産が解明されたことは、これまでの匈奴のイメージを変える大きな発見であった。継続した発掘調査により、匈奴の製鉄技術が西方から伝播した技術であることや複数の製鉄炉のタイプが存在していたことが明らかとなり、匈奴が製鉄という遊牧とは相反する要素を巧みに取り入れて鉄を入手していたことが明らかとなった。