Radiocarbon-dating an early minting site: the emergence of standardised coinage in China. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Hao; Gao, Xiangping; Jiang, Yuchao; Lin, Yi; Zhu, Jin; Ding, Sicong; Deng, Lijun; Zhang, Ji
• Is Part Of: Antiquity. Volume 95:Number 383(2021)
• Page Start: 1161
• Page End: 1178
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Central Plains -- Bronze Age -- Zhou Dynasty -- minting -- coinage; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Antiquities -- Periodicals; 930.05
• DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.94
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-598X

Abstract

Abstract: Abstract : The origins of metal coinage and the monetisation of ancient economies have long been a research focus in both archaeology and economic history. Recent excavations of an Eastern Zhou period ( c . 770–220 BC) bronze foundry at Guanzhuang in Henan Province, China, have yielded clay moulds for casting spade coins. The technical characteristics of the moulds demonstrate that the site functioned as a mint for producing standardised coins. Systematic AMS radiocarbon-dating indicates that well-organised minting developed c . 640–550 BC, making Guanzhuang the world's oldest-known, securely dated minting site. This discovery provides important new data for exploring the origin of monetisation in ancient China.