Study on determining the sources of cinnabar in the Han Dynasty tombs in Wuchuan

WEN Rui; LI Yulong; SHI Min; LI Chenyuan; LI Yanxiang

doi:10.16152/j.cnki.xdxbzr.2025-06-013

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Study on determining the sources of cinnabar in the Han Dynasty tombs in Wuchuan

更新时间：2026-01-06

- Study on determining the sources of cinnabar in the Han Dynasty tombs in Wuchuan
- Journal of Northwest University (Natural Science Edition) Vol. 55, Issue 6, Pages: 1352-1363(2025)
- 作者机构：
  
  1.西北大学　文化遗产学院，陕西　西安　710127
  2.山西大学　考古文博学院，山西　太原　030006
  3.贵州省文物考古研究所，贵州　贵阳　550000
  4.北京科技大学　科技史与文化遗产研究院，北京　100083
- 作者简介：
- 基金信息：
- DOI：10.16152/j.cnki.xdxbzr.2025-06-013
  CLC： K234.2
- Received：16 August 2025，
  
  Published：25 December 2025
- 稿件说明：
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WEN Rui, LI Yulong, SHI Min, et al. Study on determining the sources of cinnabar in the Han Dynasty tombs in Wuchuan[J]. Journal of Northwest University (Natural Science Edition), 2025, 55(6): 1352-1363.
DOI：

WEN Rui, LI Yulong, SHI Min, et al. Study on determining the sources of cinnabar in the Han Dynasty tombs in Wuchuan[J]. Journal of Northwest University (Natural Science Edition), 2025, 55(6): 1352-1363. DOI： 10.16152/j.cnki.xdxbzr.2025-06-013.

摘要

考古遗址出土朱砂的产地来源问题遗址备受学界关注，旨在判定贵州省务川县汉墓群内6座汉墓出土朱砂的产地。通过拉曼光谱仪进行定性分析，使用多接收电感耦合等离子体质谱仪（MC-ICP-MS）进行硫同位素和微量元素的测定，将所获数据与中国朱砂产地信息数据库进行对比分析。结果表明：①务川汉墓群中6座汉墓所取样品均有142、250、286和341 cm

-1

处拉曼特征振动峰，确为朱砂无疑；②结合δ

v-CDT

、δ

v-CDT

和Δ

S多种硫同位素分析及微量元素UMAP聚类分析的结果，可确定6份样品应全部来源于务川县本地，其中WC-1来自务川县白石洞（BSD），WC-2~WC-6主要来源于务川县三坑村一带的红夜壶洞（HYH）和1020十八线（1020SBX）两处矿点；③溯源结果表明贵州省务川县一带的朱砂矿藏至迟在西汉时期即已被古代先民发现、开采与利用。该研究首次实现了我国考古遗址出土朱砂产地的精准溯源鉴定，证实硫同位素与微量元素联合分析方法可为此类研究提供有效解决方案，不仅完善了朱砂矿产地判别的方法体系，更为中国古代朱砂矿业开采史研究提供了关键的技术支撑与时代证据。

Abstract

The provenance of cinnabar at archaeological sites has received considerable attention. This study aimed to determine the origin of cinnabar excavated from six Han Dynasty tombs in Wuchuan County

Guizhou Province. Qualitative analysis was conducted using Raman spectroscopy

while multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) was employed to measure sulfur isotopes and trace elements. The obtained data were comparatively analyzed against the cinnabar provenance database of China. The research results reveal three findings. ① All six samples from the Wuchuan Han tombs exhibit characteristic Raman vibration peaks at 142

250

286 and 341 cm

-1

confirming their identity as cinnabar; ② Comprehensive analysis of “δ

v-CDT

，δ

v-CDT

and Δ

S” sulfur isotopes and UMAP clustering of trace elements conf

irms all six samples originated locally within Wuchuan County. Specifically

WC-1 derives from Baishidong (BSD)

while WC-2 to WC-6 primarily originate from Hongyehudong (HYH) and 1020 Shibaxian (1020SBX) mining sites in Sankeng Village; ③ These findings demonstrate that cinnabar deposits in Wuchuan County

which were discovered

mined and utilized by ancient inhabitants no later than the Western Han Dynasty. This research presents the first precise provenance identification of archaeological cinnabar in China and demonstrates that combined sulfur isotopes and trace elements analysis offers an effective method for such studies. This work not only advances the methodological framework for cinnabar provenance identification but also provides critical technical support and chronological evidence for research into ancient Chinese cinnabar mining practices.

关键词

Keywords

references

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