Scientific analysis and usage reassessment of suspected medicinal cinnabar unearthed from Mawangdui Tomb No.3 of the Han Dynasty.
10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20250324.101
- Author:
Ning-Ning XU
1
;
Ting-Yan REN
2
;
Ming-Jie LI
2
;
Pan XIAO
3
;
Guo-Hui SHEN
2
;
Ji-Qing BAI
4
;
Qi LIU
5
Author Information
1. Yuelu Academy, Hunan University Changsha 410082, China Hunan Museum (the Cultural Relics Appraisal Center of Hunan Province) Changsha 410008, China.
2. Hunan Museum (the Cultural Relics Appraisal Center of Hunan Province) Changsha 410008, China.
3. Hunan Museum (the Cultural Relics Appraisal Center of Hunan Province) Changsha 410008, China Hunan Key Laboratory of Archaeometry and Conservation Science Changsha 410008, China.
4. Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine Xianyang 712046, China Shaanxi Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine Xianyang 712046, China.
5. Hunan Museum (the Cultural Relics Appraisal Center of Hunan Province) Changsha 410008, China Hunan Key Laboratory of Archaeometry and Conservation Science Changsha 410008, China the National Museum of Asian Art Washington, DC.20004,USA.
- Publication Type:English Abstract
- Keywords:
Mawangdui Tomb No.3 of the Han Dynasty;
archaeometric studies;
cinnabar;
mineral medicinal materials;
usage analysis
- MeSH:
History, Ancient;
China;
Humans;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history*;
Archaeology;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history*;
Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared;
Spectrum Analysis, Raman;
Mercury Compounds
- From:
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica
2025;50(11):2915-2923
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Cinnabar(HgS) was widely used in ancient times for medicinal purposes, religious rituals, and pigments. A group of bright red powdery clumps was excavated from Mawangdui Tomb No.3 of the Han Dynasty. Early studies considered the clumps as evidence of cinnabar's medicinal use during the Qin-Han period. This study employed a range of archaeometric techniques, including extended-depth-of-field stereo imaging, micro-CT, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry FTIR, to systematically analyze the material composition and structural characteristics of these remains. The results revealed that the cinnabar particles were granular, finely ground, and tightly bound to silk matrix, with no detectable excipients typically associated with medicinal formulations. Micro-CT imaging indicated a well-preserved textile structure, with clear signs of sedimentary accumulation and mechanical damage. Based on historical and archaeological studies, this study suggested that these remains were more likely degraded accumulations of cinnabar-colored silk textiles rather than medicinal cinnabar. By clarifying the diversity of ancient cinnabar applications and preservation states, this study provides new insights for the archaeological identification of mineral medicinal materials and contributes to the standardized study of Chinese medicinal materials and understanding of the historical use of cinnabar.
