J. Archaeol. Sci.: Reports | New discovery of iron smelting in central Xizang: Analysis of metallurgical remains excavated from the Sermatang site in Shannan, Xizang, China

Recently, the archaeometallurgy team led by Professor Li Yingfu from the Center for Archaeological Sciences, Sichuan University, in collaboration with the Tibet Autonomous Region Institute of Cultural Relics Protection and Tibet University, published their latest research findings online in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, titled "New discovery of iron smelting in central Xizang: Analysis of metallurgical remains excavated from the Sermatang site in Shannan, Xizang, China." This study reveals the earliest iron smelting site found in Tibet to date, which is of great significance for studying iron production technology during the Tubo period, its relationship with Tibetan society, and the metallurgical technological exchange and interaction between the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding regions.

Early human activities on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau have always been a focus for archaeologists. Mr. Tong Enzheng broadly divided the archaeological remains in Tibet before the 10th century into three stages: the Stone Age, the Early Metal Age, and the Tubo period. Among these, the archaeological discoveries and documentary records from the Tubo period (circa 6th to 10th centuries AD) are the most abundant. Although many scholars have conducted systematic research on various material cultural remains from this period, there has been a lack of attention on the issue of iron production.

Iron smelting furnace excavated from the Sermatang site

In 2023, the Tibet Autonomous Region Institute of Cultural Relics Protection, in conjunction with Sichuan University, Tibet University, and other institutions, excavated the Sermatang site in Jieba Township, Shannan City, Tibet. A stone-built furnace and metallurgical remains such as furnace lining and slag were discovered at the site, providing important materials for studying metallurgical technology in central Tibet. The preliminary results of C14 dating of charcoal from within the furnace indicate that the metallurgical activities may date to between the 8th and 10th centuries AD. Through microstructural observation and compositional analysis of the excavated slag and the slag adhering to the furnace wall, it was determined that bloomery iron smelting technology was used at the site. However, compared to previously discovered bloomery furnaces, the furnace type at Sermatang is quite unique. The furnace is a stone-built shaft furnace with a reconstructed height of over 2 meters. For better horizontal comparison, the paper conducted a comparative study of iron smelting furnaces from the same period from Northern China, Southern China, India, and the Altai region. After quantifying factors such as furnace construction materials and furnace shape, UMAP dimensionality reduction and k-prototypes cluster analysis were applied. The analysis results suggest that the Sermatang furnace is more closely related to the furnaces of Northern China.

SEM-EDS analysis of slag excavated from the Sermatang site

UMAP dimensionality reduction and k-prototypes cluster analysis of iron smelting furnaces

This similarity may be related to the historical context of the period. Since the 7th century, whether during the Tubo Kingdom period or the Five Dynasties, Song, and Jin periods, Tibetan civilization showed a strong eastward development trend, resulting in close exchanges with the Central Plains civilization. The opening of the "Tang-Tubo Ancient Road" and the "Tubo-Nepal Ancient Road" strengthened the communication between the Shannan area and the Central Plains, laying the foundation for political exchanges between the Tang Dynasty and the Tubo Kingdom. According to historical records, between 705 and 822 AD, the Tang and Tubo formed alliances eight times and frequently exchanged envoys on diplomatic missions, which promoted the spread of Central Plains culture to Tibet and the westward migration of craftsmen from the Central Plains. This exchange did not cease with the decline of the Tang Dynasty. The discovery of products from the Central Plains dating to the early Northern Song Dynasty in Jieba Township confirms the continuity of this exchange. Therefore, this historical context may be an important reason why the Sermatang site continued the local bloomery iron technology tradition but used a furnace type similar to that of Northern China for smelting.

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