Archaeometallurgical studies in China: some recent developments and challenging issues

On the basis of a review of major research achievements over the past ten years, this paper discusses some challenging issues in current studies of ancient Chinese metallurgy, with a focus on the beginnings of bronze metallurgy in China, regional bronze technologies during the Shang dynasty, early developments of iron technology, emergence of lost-wax casting technology, manufacturing techniques of gold objects, and Qin metallurgy. It will also offer some observations on future directions for the study of ancient Chinese metallurgy.