The excavation of a cache of lead ingots in Liujiazhuang Locus North of Yinxu, Anyang, Henan

A significant discovery of 293 lead ingots, weighing a total of 3404 kg, was unearthed in August 2015 from an earthen cache pit at the Yinxu site in Anyang, Henan. The ingots, shaped like turtle shells with dimensions ranging from 10 cm to 70 cm, provide crucial insights into the bronze-casting industry of the Shang dynasty. This excavation sheds light on the scale, technology, organization, and management of metallurgical practices during this period. The findings are pivotal for understanding the advanced industrial capabilities and resource management strategies employed in ancient China.

(Ed.). (2021). The excavation of a cache of lead ingots in Liujiazhuang Locus North of Yinxu, Anyang, Henan. Chinese Archaeology, 21(1), 125–132. https://doi.org/10.1515/char-2021-0008