Ancient Chinese metalworking techniques shared in Iran
The specialized seminar titled ‘Iron Smelting and Casting in Ancient China’ was held on November 30, at the National Museum of Iran.
The lecture was delivered by Linheng Mo from the Hunan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, China.
The presentation was divided into two parts. The first part focused on metalworking methods, introducing various iron smelting furnaces discovered in archaeological excavations in China. The second part presented the achievements of the Guantian site excavation in Sangzhi County, Hunan Province, which primarily involved iron metallurgy. The Guantian excavation revealed diverse iron smelting furnaces and a stockpile of iron bars ready for use, indicating advanced technology at the site. In addition, various iron alloys, including steel from periods contemporaneous with late Sassanian and early Islamic Iran (Han Dynasty China), were found.
Jebrael Nokandeh, Director of the National Museum of Iran, noted that contemporary to the Bronze and Iron Ages in Iran, metalworking in China had made significant advancements, producing large and impressive bronze figures and objects.
He further mentioned that given Mr. Mo and his colleagues’ research background in ancient Chinese metalworking sites, their recent studies with Iranian colleagues in the cultural landscape of Masouleh, Gilan, could provide new insights into Islamic and historic metalworking.
He expressed hope that this team of archaeometallurgy specialists could initiate focused research in Masouleh.