Archaeological investigations recently conducted at the site of Tajiasi, a Middle Shang bronze casting workshop, have led to the discovery of abundant metallurgical micro-remains from various stages of bronze production processes. Lead isotope analysis of these samples has given fresh insights into the discussion about the origin of the metal sources employed during this period. The copper melting and refining slags, characterized by Pb/Pb around 18.0 and very low lead concentrations (＜4,000 ppm), provided the first reliable indicator about the geological origin of copper used in the Middle Shang period. It is suggested the Jiurui metallogenic district in the Middle Yangtze River, home to the Shang period copper smelting site of Tongling, was the copper source for the Taijiasi site. On the other hand, alloying slags and bronze objects bearing highly radiogenic lead (Pb/Pb > 19.0) show an elevated, but still relatively low Pb content (＜2 wt%), suggesting that the source of tin introduced Pb which was characterized by HRL. Items including alloying slags, dross, spillages and bronze objects have similar HRL characteristics to the Middle Shang bronzes from other sites. This result indicated the Taijiasi site was involved in a multi-line metal circulation during this period, and elucidated the complexity and multiplicity of supply networks for different kinds of metals in the Middle Shang period. It also highlighted the great potential of copper melting and refining slags for detecting the copper provenance.

中文翻译：

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通过冶金遗迹同位素分析查明商代中期铜的物源


最近在中商青铜铸造作坊塔家寺遗址进行的考古调查，发现了丰富的青铜生产过程各个阶段的冶金微观遗迹。这些样品的铅同位素分析为有关这一时期所用金属来源的讨论提供了新的见解。铜熔炼渣的 Pb/Pb 约为 18.0，铅浓度极低（＜4,000 ppm），为中商时期使用的铜的地质起源提供了第一个可靠的指标。推测台家寺遗址的铜源地为长江中游的九瑞成矿区，铜陵商代铜冶炼遗址所在地。另一方面，含有高放射性铅 (Pb/Pb > 19.0) 的合金渣和青铜制品显示出较高的 Pb 含量，但仍然相对较低 (<2 wt%)，这表明锡源引入了 Pb，其特点是HRL。合金渣、浮渣、溢出物和青铜器等物品与其他遗址的中商青铜器具有相似的 HRL 特征。这一结果表明台家寺遗址参与了这一时期的多线金属流通，揭示了中商时期不同种类金属供应网络的复杂性和多样性。它还强调了铜熔化和精炼渣在检测铜来源方面的巨大潜力。