Advances in Archaeometric Research on Unearthed Jade Artifacts in China

This study reviews recent advances in the scientific and technological archaeology of ancient Chinese jade artifacts, focusing on material identification, alteration, provenance tracing. Using non-destructive analytical techniques such as portable XRF, SEM, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and LA-ICP-MS, archaeometric research has clarified the mineralogical diversity of jades and established systematic methods for differentiating nephrite and turquoise sources. Controlled heating and acid–base experiments have elucidated the mechanisms and color formation of alteration, providing key insights into post-depositional processes. Provenance studies integrating trace-element, rare-earth-element, and isotopic analyses have built multi-level hierarchical models for source discrimination. Micro-wear and experimental replication have reconstructed ancient jade-working technologies, while machine learning offers new perspectives for typology and cultural interpretation. Overall, these interdisciplinary approaches demonstrate that the integration of material science and archaeology is crucial for understanding the technological, cultural, and exchange networks that shaped Chinese jade culture from the Neolithic to the Qing period.