The Houma Moulds: Scientific Analysis of Ancient Molding Materials
侯马陶范与古代造型材料的科学分析
标签：侯马陶范, 科技考古, 岩相分析, 复原实验
山西侯马晋国铸铜遗址（前 6–前 5 世纪）出土陶范数万块，是研究东周青铜铸造的核心标本：岩相薄片与 XRD 分析显示范料为黏土掺粉砂与植物碎屑（稻草、麦秸），面层细泥 2–5 mm、背层掺粗砂透气，入窑 800–950℃ 烧成陶质提高强度，范面常见烟炱与分型剂痕迹。复原实验证明"焙烧陶范+芯撑+卯榫扣合"体系能稳定铸出带浅浮雕的礼器，与殷墟泥范（不预焙、靠阴干）构成两条技术路线，为断代与产地判断提供依据。
The Houma foundry site of the Jin state (Shanxi, 6th–5th centuries BC) yielded tens of thousands of ceramic mould fragments — core specimens for Eastern Zhou bronze casting. Thin-section petrography and XRD show clay blended with silt and plant temper (straw, chaff): a 2–5 mm fine facing over a coarse, permeable backing, fired at 800–950°C to pottery hardness, with soot and parting-agent traces on faces. Reconstruction experiments confirm the fired-mould system with chaplets and tongue-and-groove locks reliably casts ritual vessels in low relief — a route distinct from unfired, shade-dried Yinxu moulds, useful for dating and provenance.