journal article·2025-09-17Open access

Exploration of stationery items unearthed from the Tomb of Murong Zhi of Tuyuhun in the Tang Dynasty

Guoke Chen, Wenting Gu, Junxia Ma, Feixiang Huang, Yan Wang, Yanfei Wei, Bingbing Liu, Yanrong Chen

npj Heritage Science· Volume 13· Issue 1

Abstract

The tomb of Murong Zhi, a prominent figure of the Tuyuhun Royal Family in the Wuzhou period, represents a significant archaeological discovery in China. Within this tomb, a diverse array of artifacts, including metal ware, wood lacquer items, textiles, and paper relics, have been meticulously unearthed. Noteworthy among these findings is a complete set of stationery, comprising a painted wooden box, writing brush, ink ingot, paper, inkstone, and writing brush holder. This study employs advanced analytical techniques such as SEM-EDS, OM, PLM, Micro-FTIR spectroscopy and Py-GC/MS to investigate the materials and manufacturing processes of these cultural relics. Analysis reveals that the writing brush, crafted from sheep hair, lacks a core, while the ink, bearing inscriptions, is derived from compressed pine wood ash. The distinctive yellow paper is identified to be made from bamboo fibers. This comprehensive examination of the stationery provides valuable physical evidence for understanding Tang Dynasty-era writing materials and techniques.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis · Conservation Techniques and Studies · Wood and Agarwood Research

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

References (40)

Show source-provided references
1. Chen, Z. Y. Tomb 168 of the Han Period at Fenghuangshan, Jiangling. Acta Archaeol. Sin. 455–566 (1993).
2. Shen, Y. Brief Report on the Excavation of the Zhou Family Tombs at Jinque Hill, Linyi, Shandong. Cult. Relics, 41–97 (1984).
3. Wang, Z. G. & Shao, L. On the shape and related issues of ancient Chinese ink. Southeast Cult. 78–84 (1993).
4. Zhu, Y. Z. Research on Ancient Chinese Brushes. Nanjing Inst. Arts. 3, 12–18 (2012).
5. Chen, G. K. et al. Brief report on the excavation of the tomb of Murong Zhi, King of Xihan during the Wu Zhou Period in Gansu. Archaeol. Cult. Relics. 15–38 (2021).
6. Shi, J. L. & Li, T. Technical investigation of 15th and 19th century Chinese paper currencies: fiber use and pigment identification. J. Raman Spectrosc. 44, 892–898 (2013).10.1002/jrs.4297 ↗
7. Wei, L. et al. Scientific analysis of Tie Luo, a Qing Dynasty calligraphy artifact in the Palace Museum, Beijing, China. Herit. Sci. 6, 1–14 (2018).10.1186/s40494-018-0193-2 ↗
8. Falcone, F. et al. Innovative methodological approach integrating SEM-EDS and TXRF microanalysis for characterization in materials science: a perspective from cultural heritage studies. Spectrochim. Acta Part B At. Spectrosc. 218, 106980 (2024).10.1016/j.sab.2024.106980 ↗
9. Astolfi, M. L. Advances in Analytical Strategies to Study Cultural Heritage Samples. Molecules 28, 6423 (2023).10.3390/molecules28176423 ↗
10. Gallagher, W. FTIR analysis of protein structure. Course Manual Chem. 455 (2009).
11. Derrick, M. R., Stulik, D. & Landry, J. M. Infrared spectroscopy in conservation science. Getty Publications. (2000).
12. La Russa, M. F. et al. The use of FTIR and micro-FTIR spectroscopy: an example of application to cultural heritage. International Journal of Spectroscopy. 893528 (2009).10.1155/2009/893528 ↗
13. Poulin, J., Kearney, M. & Veall, M. A. Direct Inlet Py-GC-MS analysis of cultural heritage materials. J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis 164, 105506 (2022).10.1016/j.jaap.2022.105506 ↗
14. Han, B., Daheur, G. & Sablier, M. Py-GCxGC/MS in cultural heritage studies: an illustration through analytical characterization of traditional East Asian handmade papers. J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis 122, 458–467 (2016).10.1016/j.jaap.2016.10.018 ↗
15. Wei, S. Characterization of natural organic binding media used in artworks through GC/MS and Py-GC/MS. Conservation science education online (CSEO)-a heritage science education resource. (2024).
16. Xing, W. et al. Automatic identification of cashmere and wool fibers based on the morphological features analysis. Micron 128, 102768 (2020).10.1016/j.micron.2019.102768 ↗
17. Allafi, F. et al. Advancements in applications of natural wool fiber. J. Nat. Fibers 19, 497–512 (2022).10.1080/15440478.2020.1745128 ↗
18. Zoccola, M. et al. Analytical methods for the identification and quantitative determination of wool and fine animal fibers: a review. Fibers 11, 67 (2023).10.3390/fib11080067 ↗
19. Davies, P. J., Horrocks, A. R. & Miraftab, M. Scanning electron microscopic studies of wool/intumescent char formation. Polym. Int. 49, 1125–1132 (2000).10.1002/1097-0126(200010)49:10<1125::AID-PI489>3.0.CO;2-B ↗
20. Wortmann, F. J. et al. Analysis of specialty fiber/wool blends by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM)[C]//proceedings of the 1st international symposium on speciality animal fibers. 163–188 (1988).
21. Skals, I. et al. Wool textiles and archaeometry: testing reliability of archaeological wool fibre diameter measurements. Dan. J. Archaeol. 7, 161–179 (2018).10.1080/21662282.2018.1495917 ↗
22. McGregor, B. A., Liu, X. & Wang, X. G. Comparisons of the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra of cashmere, guard hair, wool and other animal fibres. J. Text. Inst. 109, 813–822 (2018).10.1080/00405000.2017.1372057 ↗
23. Liu, X., et al. FTIR spectrum and dye absorption of cashmere and native fine sheep wool[C]//Proc. 4th Int. Cashmere Determination Techniques Symposium (2008).
24. Kaiden, K., Matsui, T. & Tanaka, S. A study of the amide III band by FT-IR spectrometry of the secondary structure of albumin, myoglobin, and γ-globulin. Appl. Spectrosc. 41, 180–184 (1987).10.1366/000370287774986714 ↗
25. Sabatini, F. et al. Investigating the composition and degradation of wool through EGA/MS and Py-GC/MS. J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis 135, 111–121 (2018).10.1016/j.jaap.2018.09.012 ↗
26. Han, B. et al. Identification of traditional East Asian handmade papers through the multivariate data analysis of pyrolysis-GC/MS data. Analyst 144, 1230–1244 (2019).10.1039/C8AN01898G ↗
27. Chiavari, G., Bocchini, P. & Galletti, G. C. Rapid identification of binding media in paintings using simultaneous pyrolysis methylation gas chromatography. Sci. Technol. cultural Herit. 1, 153–158 (1992).
28. Liao, G. Q. From bamboo brush to bamboo tube pen-bamboo writing tools and Chinese culture. 51–55 (Yunnan Academic Exploration, 1994).
29. Perruchini, E., Pinault, G. J. & Sablier, M. Exploring the potential of pyrolysis-comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the characterization of Chinese inks of ancient manuscripts. J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis 164, 105503 (2022).10.1016/j.jaap.2022.105503 ↗
30. Wei, S. et al. Identification of the materials used in an Eastern ** Chinese ink stick. J. Cult. Herit. 13, 448–452 (2012).10.1016/j.culher.2012.02.001 ↗
31. Quattrini, M. V. et al. A seventeenth century Japanese painting: scientific identification of materials and techniques. Stud. Conserv. 59, 328–340 (2014).10.1179/2047058413Y.0000000086 ↗
32. Luo, Y. et al. Analyzing ancient Chinese handmade Lajian paper exhibiting an orange-red color. Herit. Sci. 7, 1–8 (2019).10.1186/s40494-019-0306-6 ↗
33. Sharma, M., Sharma, C. L. & Lama, D. D. Anatomical and fibre characteristics of some agro waste materials for pulp and paper making. Int. J. Agric. Sci. Res. 5, 155–162 (2015).
34. Helman-Wazny, A. Fibre analyses of Dunhuang documents in the British Library (2008).
35. Luo, Y., Wang, Y. & Zhang, X. A combination of techniques to study Chinese traditional Lajian paper. J. Cultural Herit. 38, 75–81 (2019).10.1016/j.culher.2019.01.008 ↗
36. Hubei Province Jingsha railway archaeological team Baoshan cemetery arrangement team. Excavation of Chu Tomb in Baoshan, Jingmen City, Cultural Relics, (1988).
37. Li, X. C., Zheng, B. Q. & Wang, B. Study on ancient paper unearthed from Astana-Harala and Zhuo tombs in Turpan. 62-68 (Western Regions Research, 2012).
38. Yang, A., Lin, Z. H. & Yi, X. H. Nondestructive identification method of ancient paper fiber composition based on surface microscopic analysis technology. J. Fudan Univ. (Nat. Sci. Ed.) 63, 605–615 (2024).
39. Franke, H. Kulturgeschichtliches über die chinesische Tusche. (Verlag der Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, 1962).
40. Swider, J. R., Hackley, V. A. & Winter, J. Characterization of Chinese ink in size and surface. J. Cult. Herit. 4, 175–186 (2003).10.1016/S1296-2074(03)00044-X ↗