The Technology of Large-Scale Zinc Production in Chongqing in Ming and Qing China

✍ Scribed by Wenli Zhou

• Publisher: BAR Publishing
• Year: 2016
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 163
• Series: BAR British Archaeological Reports International Series 2835
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book presents the analyses, technical interpretation and socio-economic contextualisation of the production remains of zinc distillation from three Ming sites in Fengdu and one Qing site in Shizhu, Chongqing, southwest China. Zinc ore, zinc metal, retorts and slag from these sites were analysed by OM, SEM-EDS, EPMA-WDS and XRD. Following on from a detailed technological reconstruction, some differences were found between the zinc distillation technologies in Fengdu and Shizhu, not only in technical efficiency but also in the organisation of production, which can be explained as adaptation of the zinc production for coinage to the different social, political and economic constraints affecting each group of sites. This book then contextualises and discusses the significance of Chinese zinc production with reference to coinage in Ming and Qing China, but also by comparing it to other brass- and zinc-making technologies in China, India and Europe, and by assessing the influence of Chinese zinc in the international maritime trade.

✦ Table of Contents

Front Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Abbreviations
Abstract
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Historical and Technological Background to Zinc Production in China
Chapter 3: Theoretical Framework and Methodology
Chapter 4: Analyses of Zinc Smelting Remains in Fengdu
Chapter 5: Analyses of Zinc Smelting Remains in Shizhu
Chapter 6: Zinc Production in Chongqing and Beyond
Chapter 7: The Significance of Zinc Production in Ming and Qing China
Chapter 8: Conclusions and Future Work
References
Appendix 1: Chinese Dynasties
Appendix 2: Notes on Weights and Measures
Appendix 3: Formulae of Minerals and Phases
Appendix 4: Historical Records about Mining and Smelting in Fengdu and Shizhu