The Carving Technology of the Handle-Shaped Artefacts from Yinxu ( c.1300-1046 bc) in China.

The handle-shaped artefact is a special jade object of the Three Dynasties (c.2000-200 bc) period. The manufacturing technology and function of the handle-shaped artefacts are widely questioned. In this paper, two handle-shaped artefacts from Yinxu (c.1300-1046 bc) are tested by digital microscope, Raman spectrometer and scanning electron microscope. The results indicate that the handle-shaped artefacts might be made in four steps, namely rough shape cutting, edge reforming, handle making and single-side polishing. It also suggests that the handle-shaped artefacts might be used as sacrificial offerings, but not as hairpins or handles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]