Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T02:20:36.278Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Crossbows and imperial craft organisation: the bronze triggers of China's Terracotta Army

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Xiuzhen Janice Li ,
Andrew Bevan ,
Marcos Martinón-Torres ,
Thilo Rehren ,
Wei Cao ,
Yin Xia  and
Kun Zhao
Xiuzhen Janice Li
Affiliation:
Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, Lintong, Xi'an, 710600, China UCL Institute of Archaeology, 31–34 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PY, UK
Andrew Bevan
Affiliation:
UCL Institute of Archaeology, 31–34 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PY, UK
Marcos Martinón-Torres
Affiliation:
UCL Institute of Archaeology, 31–34 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PY, UK
Thilo Rehren
Affiliation:
UCL Institute of Archaeology, 31–34 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PY, UK UCL Qatar, a partner of Hamad bin Khalifa University, PO Box 25256, Doha, Qatar
Wei Cao
Affiliation:
Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, Lintong, Xi'an, 710600, China
Yin Xia
Affiliation:
Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, Lintong, Xi'an, 710600, China
Kun Zhao
Affiliation:
Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum, Lintong, Xi'an, 710600, China
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The Terracotta Army that protected the tomb of the Chinese emperor Qin Shihuang offers an evocative image of the power and organisation of the Qin armies who unified China through conquest in the third century BC. It also provides evidence for the craft production and administrative control that underpinned the Qin state. Bronze trigger mechanisms are all that remain of crossbows that once equipped certain kinds of warrior in the Terracotta Army. A metrical and spatial analysis of these triggers reveals that they were produced in batches and that these separate batches were thereafter possibly stored in an arsenal, but eventually were transported to the mausoleum to equip groups of terracotta crossbowmen in individual sectors of Pit 1. The trigger evidence for large-scale and highly organised production parallels that also documented for the manufacture of the bronze-tipped arrows and proposed for the terracotta figures themselves.

Keywords

ChinaXi'anthird century BCQin periodTerracotta Armystandardisationlogisticstechnologyspatial analysis
Type
Research articles
Information
Antiquity , Volume 88 , Issue 339 , March 2014 , pp. 126 - 140
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 2014

References

Bagley, R. W. 1995. What the bronzes from Hunyuan tell us about the foundry at Houma. Orientations 26(1): 46–54.Google Scholar
Bevan, A., Crema, E., Li, X. & Palmisano, A.. In press. Intensities, interactions and uncertainties: some new approaches to archaeological distributions, in Bevan, A. & Lake, M. (ed.) Computational approaches to archaeological spaces. Walnut Creek (CA): Left Coast.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duan, Q. 2011. Qin shihuangdi lingyuan kaoguyanjiu [Research on the tomb complex of Emperor Qin Shihuang]. Beijing: Beijing University Press.Google Scholar
Eerkens, J. W., Bettinger, R.L. 2001. Techniques for assessing standardisation in artefact assemblages: can we scale material variability? American Antiquity 66:493–504.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eerkens, J. W., Lipo, C.P. 2005. Cultural transmission, copy errors, and the generation of variation in material culture and the archaeological record. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 24:316-34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Freestone, I., Price, J. & Cartwright, C.. 2009a. The batch: its recognition and significance, in Janssens, K., Degryse, P., C, P.osyns, Caen, J. & Van't dack, L. (ed.) Annales of the 17th Congress of the International Association for the History of Glass, 2006, Antwerp: 130-35. Antwerp: University Press Antwerp.Google Scholar
Freestone, I., Yegingil, Z. & Arik, R.. 2009b. Scientific analysis of glazed tile from the Seljuq palace of Kubad-Abad, Lake Beysehir, Turkey, in B. McCarthy, B., Chase, E.S. & Allis, L.(ed.) Scientific research on historic Asian artefacts: proceedings of the Fourth Forbes Symposium at the Freer Gallery of Art: 3-8. London & Washington, D.C.: Archetype, in association with the Freer Gallery of Art.Google Scholar
Freestone, I., Kunicki-Goldfinger, J., Gilderale-Scott, H. & Ayers, T.. 2010. Multi-disciplinary investigation of the windows of John Thornton, focusing on the Great East Window of York Minster, in Shepard, M.B., Pilosi, L. & Strobl, S. (ed.) The art of collaboration: stained glass conservation in the twenty-first century: 151-58. Turnhout: Harvey Millar.Google Scholar
Groover, M. P. 2010. Fundamentals of modern manufacturing: materials, processes and systems. Upper Saddle River (NJ): Prentice Hall.Google Scholar
Huang, S. 1990. Qinyongkeng Chutu Bingqi Mingwen Yu Xiangguan Zhidu Fafu [The inscriptions on the bronze weapons for the Qin Terracotta Army and related systems]. Wenbo 1990(5): 25–35.Google Scholar
Illian, J., Penttinen, A., Stoyan, H. & Stoyan, D.. 2008. Statisticalanalysisandmodellingofspatial point patterns. New York: Wiley Interscience.Google Scholar
Jiang, W., Liu, Z.. 2011. Qinyongkeng Chutu Keming Jinian Bingqi Yanjiu [A research on the inscriptions and dating of the weapons found in the pits of the terracotta warriors]. Journal of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum 2011:239-50.Google Scholar
Ledderose, L. 2000. Ten thousand things—module and mass production in Chinese art. Princeton (NJ): Princeton University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, Y. 2006. The Anyang bronze foundries: archaeological remains, casting technology, and production organisation. Unpublished PhD dissertation, Harvard University.Google Scholar
Li, X. & Gao, J.. 2010. Cong Qintong Nuji Mingwen Kan Qin Bingqi Shengchan Biaozhunhua De Juxianxing [A discussion about the limitation of the Qin bronze weapons’ standardisation from the inscriptions]. Wenbo 2010(2): 43–46.Google Scholar
Li, X., Martinon-Torres, M., Meeks, N. D., Xia, Y. & Zhao, K.. 2011. Inscriptions, filing, grinding and polishing marks on the bronze weapons from the Qin Terracotta Army in China. Journal of Archaeological Science 38:492–501.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, X., Martinon-Torres, M., Meeks, N. D. & Xia, Y.. 2012. Scanning electron microscopy imaging of tool marks on Qin bronze weapons using silicone rubber impressions, in Meeks, N., Cartwright, C., Meek, A. & Mongiatti, A. (ed.) Historical technology, materials andconservation: SEMandmicroanalysis: 62–68. London: Archetype & British Museum.Google Scholar
Liu, Z. 1986. Qinyongkeng Gongnu Shitan [A preliminary study on the crossbows from the pits of the terracotta warriors]. Wenbo 1986(4): 21–27.Google Scholar
Martinon-Torres, M., & Li, X., Bevan, A., Xia, Y., Zhao, K. & Rehren, Th.. 2012. Forty thousand arms for a single emperor: from chemical data to labor organization in the production of bronze arrows for the Terracotta Army. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory October 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10816-012-9158-z Google Scholar
MEQSTA Museum of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Army. 2008. Qinshihuang ling erhao bingmayong keng fajue baogao [An excavation report on Pit 2 of the terracotta warriors and horses of Emperor Qin Shihuang]. Beijing: Science Press.Google Scholar
Orton, C. 2004. Point pattern analysis revisited. Archaeologia e Calcolatori 15:299–315.Google Scholar
Portal, J. (ed.). 2007. The first emperor: China's Terracotta Army. London: British Museum.Google Scholar
Qin, B. & Zhang, Z.. 1983. Chang Pi Chu Tan [A preliminary research on the Qin lances], in Shaanxi Kaogu Yanjiusuo Shaanxi Sheng Kaogu Xuehui Diyici Niahui Lunwenji [Proceedings of the 1st annual conference of Shaanxi Archaeological Committee]: 209-14. Xi’an: Sanqin.Google Scholar
Robert, C. P. & Casella, G.. 2004. Monte Carlo statistical methods. New York:Springer.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SIAATQ Shaanxi Institute of Archaeology and Archaeological Team of Qinshihuangling. 1988. Qinshihuang Ling Bingmayong Keng — Yihao Keng Fajue Baogao 1974-1984 [An excavation report on Pit 1 ofthe terracotta warriors and horses for the Emperor Qin Shihuang 1974-1984]. Beijing: Cultural Relics Press.Google Scholar
SIAMEQSTA Shaanxi Institute of Archaeology and Museum of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Army. 1998. Qinshihuangdi Ling Tongchema Fajue Baogao [An excavation report of the bronze chariots within the Emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb complex]. Beijing: Cultural Relics Press.Google Scholar
SIAMEQSTA Shaanxi Institute of Archaeology and Museum of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Army. 2000. Qinshihuangdi Lingyuan Kaogu Baogao 1999 [An archaeological report ofthe Emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb complex 1999]. Beijing: Science Press.Google Scholar
SIAMEQSTA Shaanxi Institute of Archaeology and Museum of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Army. 2006. Qinshihuangdi Lingyuan Kaogu Baogao 2000 [An archaeological report ofthe Emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb complex 2000]. Beijing: Cultural Relics Press.Google Scholar
SIAMEQSTA Shaanxi Institute of Archaeology and Museum of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Army. 2007. Qinshihuangdi Lingyuan Kaogu Baogao 2001-2003 [An archaeological report of the Emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb complex 2001-2003]. Beijing: Cultural Relics Press.Google Scholar
Wang, X. 1980. Qinyong keng chutu qingtong bingqi de keji chengjiu [Research into the scientific achievement based on the Qin bronze weapons from the pits of the Qin Terracotta Army]. Kaoguyuwenwu 1980(3): 99–107.Google Scholar
Wang, X. 1983. Qinyong bingqi zhou lun [A preliminary discussion about the weapons for the Qin terracotta warriors]. Kaoguyuwenwu 1983(4): 59–80.Google Scholar
Wang, X. 1990. Yi fu qindai de chen bing tu [A military battle formation of the Qin dynasty]. Wenbo 1990(5):21–35.Google Scholar
Wang, X. 1994. Qinyong Zhuanti Yanjiu [A monographic study on the Qin terracotta warriors]. Xi’an: Sanqin.Google Scholar
Williams, D. 2008. Mass-produced pre-Han Chinese bronze crossbow triggers: unparalleled manufacturing technology in the ancient world. Arms and Armour 5:142-53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yang, H. 1980. Zhongguo gudai bingqi luncong [Research on ancient Chinese weapons]. Beijing: Cultural Relics Press.Google Scholar
Yates, R. 2007. The rise of Qin and the military conquest of the Warring States, in Portal, J. (ed.) The first emperor: China's Terracotta Army: 30–57. London: British Museum.Google Scholar
Yuan, Z. 1984. Qin zhongyang duzhao de bingqi keci zongsu [Interpreting the inscriptions about the Qin governmental supervision on weapons’ production]. Kaoguyuwenwu 1984(5): 21–26.Google Scholar
Yuan, Z. 1990. Qinshihuanglingbingmayongyanjiu[Research on the terracotta warriors and horses from the Emperor Qin Shihuang's tomb complex]. Beijing: Cultural Relics Press.Google Scholar
Yuan, Z. 2002. Qinshihuanglingkaogu faxian yu yanjiu [Archaeological discoveries and research on the Emperor Qin Shihuang's mausoleum]. Xi’an: Shaanxi People Press.Google Scholar
Yuan, Z. & Liu, Y.. 2009. Qin taowen xinbian [New edition ofthe Qin characters foundon ceramics]. Beijing: Cultural Relics Press.Google Scholar
Yuan, Z. & Qin, M.. 1975. Qinyong Keng Bingmayong Junzhen Neirong Ji Bingqi Shitan [An investigation on the battle formation of the Qin Terracotta Army and weapons discovered]. Wenwu 1975(11): 15–19.Google Scholar
Yuan, W., Yuan, Z., Zhao, P., Zuo, Z., Wang, X. & Wei, Y.. 1981. Qinyongkeng qingtong bingqi gongyi biaozunhua shixi [Research into the standardisation of Qin bronze weapons found in the pits of the terracotta warriors]. Shaanxi Standardisation 1981(2): 5–9.Google Scholar