Chemical investigation of herbal wine from Jin Yang ancient city site during the late Western Han period in China

Abstract

In China, liquid residue was mostly found in sealed bronze vessels associated with alcohol drinks, which are supposed to conserve the complete composition of the beverage, including the additives. So far, most of them have not been sufficiently scientifically verified. In this study, the liquid residue in bronze jars from the late Western Han period in the burial area of Jin Yang ancient city site was investigated by GC/MS, LC–MS/MS, SEM and Raman spectroscopy. These sensitive versatile techniques had unintended consequences in addition to confirming the presence of fermentation products (monosaccharides, alditols, glycerol‐related substances and organic acids). The enrichment of oxalic acid, VLCFA (very‐long‐chain fatty acid), and alkaloids hints that multiple plants were involved in the beverage preparation. The quinazoline alkaloid products from the sediments reveal an important Rutaceae ingredient, which relates to multiple ancient spices and Chinese herbs. Therefore, the liquid residues from Jin Yang ancient city site imply that they are the earliest known herbal wine remains in East Asia to this day.

Analysis of the manufacturing craft of the painted gold foils applied on the lacquerware of the Jin Yang Western Han Dynasty tomb in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China

“…There are several holes in the gold foil and grey buildups near the holes on the back. [39]; c Orthophotogram of the tomb 2018TJLSTM4; d the lacquerware with gold foils unearthed from Chamber 2; e seven pieces of gold foils unearthed on the surface of the lacquerware E-half tiger is similar in shape to the d-black tiger, with mirror symmetry. Half of the body is missing, and the remaining part is about 1.2 cm long and 1.4 cm high, with partially peeling black lines drawing the outline and red pigments on the ears, cheek, and nose.…”