Amazonite,a green gemstone with a rich history in ancient China,has often been mistaken for turquoise or nephrite due to its similar appearance.Consequently,artifacts made from amazonite have been understudied in archaeological research.This paper seeks to shed light on the discovery locations,distribution patterns,types,uses,and functions of early amazonite artifacts through an analysis of published finds.Our results reveal that the utilization of amazonite originated in Northeast China,where a concentration of amazonite artifacts is evident in archaeological records spanning a significant period.This establishes amazonite as a quintessential gemstone of the northern regions.Moreover,the spread of amazonite during the pre-Qin period demonstrates a discernible trend from northeast to west and south.This research not only contributes to a deeper understanding of jade culture in Northeast China but also facilitates the exploration of cultural exchange between different regions and Northeast China through the lens of amazonite artifacts.
维普
万方数据