The Archaeological Survey and Metallurgical Artifact Analysis of the Ming Dynasty Smelting Furnaces Relics Cluster at the Shilingwu Reservoir in Daye
The Daye area in Hubei Province is home to numerous smelting sites,which played a crucial role as a significant source of copper materials during the Bronze Age.However,despite its historical importance as a metal resource,there have been limited reports on archaeological studies conducted on iron smelting sites in Daye.This is surprising considering that iron smelting has been continuously practiced in this region in the past.In a recent survey of mining and metallurgical sites conducted in the spring of 2022,a significant cluster of block iron smelting furnaces was discovered on the west bank of the Shilingwu Reservoir in Daye City,Huangshi.As part of the excavation process,three of these furnaces were carefully studied.The carbon-14 dating of a charcoal sample extracted from the inner wall of the L2 smelting furnace suggests that it dates back to the early and middle Ming Dynasty.The discovery and subsequent research of this furnace group have greatly enriched our understanding of iron smelting sites in the Daye area.It further confirms the prevalence of block iron smelting activities during the Ming and Qing dynasties,showcasing the distinctive local characteristics of this region.Additionally,by conducting comparative analyses of historical literature and field investigations,we can shed light on the technical and cultural aspects of block iron smelting sites in the Hubei region.This research provides valuable new evidence for ancient metal mining and smelting production in the Daye area.Overall,the identification and study of these iron smelting furnaces contribute significantly to the knowledge and appreciation of the historical significance of the Daye region as a hub for metal production in ancient times.
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