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Preliminary analysis of the materials and production of Shang Dynasty pottery from Zhengzhou Shang City

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Zhengzhou City, the capital during the early Shang period, witnessed the Shang Dynasty’s early splendor. This study presents chemical and petrographic analyses of 154 pottery artifacts from the Erligang period, excavated in the Northern Area of Shuyuan Street. The findings reveal resource strategies and characteristics of pottery production in the early Shang capital. Chemical analysis categorizes the pottery into three groups, underscoring material diversity. Petrographic analysis identifies three distinct recipes, reflecting diverse processing methods for raw materials. The study finds a correlation between pottery recipes and vessel functions, indicating that material selection and production processes prioritized product functionality. Analysis indicates that, despite variations in chemical groups, the processing technology for specific artifact types was relatively consistent. Zhengzhou Shang City, a major capital-level settlement, utilized raw materials from different sources while maintaining consistent technical practices in pottery production, exemplifying a complex provisioning system within the urban center.

Source: npj Heritage Science

DOI: 10.1038/s40494-026-02963-0

Authors: Xin Su, Liping Sun, Xueqian Zhang, Zhuo Sun, Zhenmin Song, Wensheng Yang