Zinc-Smelting Technology of China in the Ming and Qing Dynasties: The Smelting Furnaces

• DOI: 10.1080/03090728.2022.2143096
• Publication Date: 2022-11-30T08:52:53Z
• Authors: Birui Xiao; Wan Huang; Lingxiao Ma; Dadi Li; Jiujiang Bai; Yuniu Li
• Keywords: Zinc smelting; History of China

Academic discussion of traditional zinc-smelting technology in China has been hampered by a paucity physical data recovered from early production sites. In recent years, however, the discovery former sites municipality Chongqing south-western provided important evidence archaeological excavations that contribute to study this topic. Taking smelting furnace found at Linjiangerdui site Zhong County as an example, paper introduces and discusses form, use maintenance Ming Dynasty (AD 1368–1644), makes preliminary comparison with furnaces dating Qing 1636–1912) unearthed Shizhu mountainous Hunan Province attempt elucidate development evolution ancient Chinese technology.