3. Conclusions

The discovery of more than two dozens of metal cauldrons in Xinjiang provides us with important evidence for understanding cultural changes in the region from the early first millennium BC. The elemantal analysis of five cauldron samples has revealed that four early cauldrons were made of copper or copper with a small amount of As, Sb or S, while the one of later date was of Cu-Sn-Pb alloy. It is interesting to notice that two cauldrons contain 1-1.5% Sb and one of them was made of Cu-As-Sb alloy. The identification of Cu-As-Sb alloy points to the connection with southern Siberia. It has also been suggested that most of Xinjiang cauldrons were cast in piece-molds and the technology most likely originated in northern China.

 

 

Acknowledgements References </P>

 Abbreviations Used in References:
  KG @@@Kaogu (Archaeology)
  KYW @@Kaogu yu wenwu (Archaeology and Cultural Relics)
  XJWW @Xinjiang wenwu (Cultural Relics in Xinjiang)

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