Study on Casting Technique of Bronzes in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13405
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 03050:Archaeology-related
• Research Institution: Yamaguchi University (2022); The University of Tokyo (2020-2021); Gakushuin University (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Mai 山口大学, 人文学部, 講師 (90773226)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 中国 / 殷周青銅器 / 製作技術 / 鋳造 / 鋳型 / 肉眼観察 / レプリカ法 / 三次元デジタル計測

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the production of bronzewares during the Shang and Zhou dynasties in ancient China, it is possible that a shift in production techniques and the organization of the craft man was made during the late Shang period so as to increase production. Among the components of bronzewares, for example, the curving techniques were mainly used in the late Shang period. After that, new production techniques were introduced in the end of Shang period, and different production techniques may have been used in the middle and late Western Zhou period. Several stages of technological change were observed from the Shang to the Western Zhou period. In addition, from the end of the Western Zhou period to the early Spring and Autumn period, through the examining the bronzewares of the early Qin state, it was revealed that the casting techniques of the Shang and Zhou dynasty was inherited to the various countries of the Spring and Autumn period.

Free Research Field

中国考古学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果の意義は、次の３点と考える。１点目に、本研究では、青銅器の観察に、レプリカ法及び三次元デジタルデータ撮影・解析を新たに導入し、その有効性を示した。これらの観察法は、今後各地域・各時代の青銅器物の観察、技術復元に応用できる。２点目に、このような新技術を用いることで、従来に比べ、客観的かつ詳細に殷周青銅器の技術変遷を提示することができた。３点目に、主に日本国内で所蔵される資料を用いて研究を行ったことにより、これらの学術資源の研究上の意義を改めて示すことができた。