Early iron objects of southwest China: a case study of iron objects excavated from Qiaogoutou cemetery site, Sichuan Province

Iron objects excavated from the Qiaogoutou cemetery site provides an opportunity to study iron-making technology during the late Warring States period and the early Western Han dynasty in southwest China. Five metallographic samples were prepared and analysed. The results are discussed in relation to other studies of iron objects discovered in southwest China.