Analysis of copper-base and gold artifacts from the Phyi Dbang-Dung Kar site in western Tibet, China, 400 BCE–600 CE. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Haichao; Liu, Xingrui; Yang, Feng; Ma, Renjie; Cui, Jianfeng; Li, Shuai; Zhu, Ming; Huo, Wei; Lv, Hongliang
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 46(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Western Tibet -- Archaeometallurgy -- Copper -- Gold -- Cultural interaction; BDL Below Detection Limit -- CG Copper Groups -- DGT Dgon Gling Thang -- ICP-AES Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry -- ICP-OES Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry -- IA CASS Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences -- KG Khal Gcig -- MC-ICP-MS Multi-Collector-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry -- SEM-EDS Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive Spectrometer -- SR Sgo Rwa -- SW Skyid Wang -- XRF X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2022.103726
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Highlights: New evidence of interaction outside the western Himalayas was provided. The copper-base material in Phyi Dbang-Dung Kar site changed through time while shows few connection with other region. Technique and style interaction happened within and outside the western Himalayas. Abstract: Phyi Dbang-Dung Kar is one of the most important archaeological sites in western Tibet which lasted from the Bronze Age to the 16th century. Nomadic swords here provide new evidence of interaction outside the western Himalayas. These copper-base and gold artifacts were analyzed for their elemental, metallographic, and lead isotopic features. A comparative study suggests that the raw materials used changed over time and show few connections with Nepal or southwest China. However, similar copper-base and gold techniques were seen in Nepal and India. Even though direct trading is not confirmed, interaction regarding techniques in the western Himalayas is a possibility.