Laozi said, "Loud voices are audible." However, this is only an artistic conception in a philosophical category. If all sounds from the greatest to the most beautiful are based on silence, what is the word "music" in the world? In ancient China, "Yellow Land" was the pursuit of music!

? When it comes to Records of Huang Zhong Da, it is natural to mention the medium of playing music-musical instruments.

When it comes to ancient musical instruments in China, we have to say bronze musical instruments, among which bronze chimes are particularly attractive.

Overview of the development history of bronze chimes

(1) Origin period (before the Western Zhou Dynasty)

It is generally believed that there was a prototype of a clock in primitive times, which was made of bamboo and wood. Archaeological findings prove that the most primitive clock is made of pottery, and its most important feature is that it has a hollow cross-section and is non-circular. The real origin of bronze chimes is the bronze bells unearthed from Erlitou site (about 2 100 BC). [2] Because of its "tile-shaped" structure, it conforms to the basic characteristics of China chimes. The bronze chime in the true sense is the earliest chime found in the tomb of Oceania merchants in Xingan, Jiangxi [3], but it was not popular at that time.

?

Figure 1. Two bronze bells unearthed in Erlitou.

Shengshi (Western Zhou Dynasty to Warring States Period)

As one of the three forms of bronze chimes (the other two are Yong Zhong and Button Zhong), it was in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. [4] Archaeological findings show that three pieces unearthed in Meixian County, Shaanxi Province belong to the middle of the Western Zhou Dynasty, and [5] is a relatively complete set of unearthed pieces. The earliest Yongzhong originated from Wenbao Tomb in Baoji, Shaanxi. There are several sayings in academic circles, such as "coming from the south", "coming from the north" and "North-South communication", among which "coming from the south" is the most convincing. Because of its special structure, molded clocks are usually hung, sideways or directly. This is beneficial to the compilation and use of Yong Zhong. [6] The chimes of Jin Hou were made in Zhou Liwang period, reflecting the development and evolution of Yong Zhong in the Western Zhou Dynasty. [7] The earliest button clocks are a group of nine unearthed from the tomb of Guo Wang in Shan County, Henan Province, belonging to the western weekend to the early Spring and Autumn Period. [8]

Figure 2. Earth clocks unearthed from Shang tombs in Dayang Prefecture, Xingan, Jiangxi Province.

The most spectacular set of bronze bells is 1978, which was unearthed from the tomb of Zeng Houyi in Suixian County, Hubei Province. There are 65 sets of chimes, including 45 Yong bells, 9 button bells 1 piece, and the king of Chu presented chimes1piece. [9] is the bronze chime with the most complete melody and the best casting so far. Each clock can emit two tones. [ 10]

Figure 3. The bells of Zeng Houyi unearthed in Sui County, Hubei Province.

This period is the golden age of chimes from maturity to popularity, and it is a veritable prosperity.

Decline period (Qin and Han Dynasties to Qing Dynasty)

Ceng Yun, Confucius: "Self-denial and self-respect". To some extent, this shows that by the Spring and Autumn Period, the rites of Zhou had been destroyed. By the end of the Warring States period, the ceremony was really broken. During this period, the nobles overstepped the system of rites and music, which not only made the bronze bells develop greatly, but also laid the foundation for their rise and fall. [ 1 1]

During the Qin and Han Dynasties, the system of rites and music completely collapsed since the Zhou Dynasty, the heyday of the development of chimes ended, and the production of dual-tone clocks was lost. [ 12]

Although later dynasties tried to restore the ancient system of Zhou rites, such as making bells and cymbals for elegant music, they could not be compared with the bronze bells in the pre-Qin period. For example, none of the chimes made in the Qing Dynasty were legal. [13] This shows how bronze chimes declined!

Acoustic principle of bronze chime

A few years ago, a TV station in Shanghai held a family singing competition, and the winning family finally adopted a unique accompaniment form-the bowl piano. The pitch of the bowl piano is related to the amount of water added. When different amounts of water are added to the bowl, the amount of air remaining in the bowl is different. [14] In this way, different sounds can be struck, the scales change, and wonderful music can be produced. Similarly, chimes also use similar acoustic principles, but the materials and manufacturing processes are different.

The acoustic principle of bronze chime is undoubtedly much more complicated than that of bowl piano. To sum up, there are three main points: 1, the particularity of bell-shaped structure.

Because the chime is a tile-shaped structure, its pronunciation mechanism is the vibration of the bending plate, which can produce two modes of fundamental frequency vibration, making it possible for a bell to have two sounds. [15] Song Shen Kuo Ceng Yun: "Ancient music bells are as round as tiles. Round bells are long, flat bells are short, short bells are short, and long bells are curved. " It can be considered as an affirmation of the special structure of chime tile. [ 16]

Figure 4. Description of the names of all parts in Yongzhong.

2. The particularity of geometric scale of each part of the clock body.

? The size of the chime body is closely related to the acoustic characteristics. The vibration frequency of the chime can be changed by adjusting the milling length and thickness of the bell body. [17] Taking Zeng Houyi's chime as an example, it is measured that its tuning bell frequency is 256.4Hz, which is close to the central C frequency on today's piano. [ 18]

3. Particularity of clock alloy composition.

? The alloy composition of chimes is slightly recorded in the pre-Qin "Kao Gong Ji": "There are six points of gold (that is, copper) and one point of tin." [19] Take Zeng Houyi's chime as an example, the tin content is 12%- 14.5%. Lead content is 1%-3%, and the rest is copper and a small amount of impurities. When the tin content is lower than 13%, the timbre is monotonous and sharp; When the tin content is 13%- 16%, the timbre is full and pleasant. Whether lead is added or not directly affects the conduction of the clock. Lead can play a good damping role, accelerate the attenuation of the bell, and is beneficial to playing without affecting the timbre. [20]

Casting technology of bronze chime

As mentioned earlier, the alloy composition of bronze chimes is related to pronunciation. Correct alloy proportion is one of the keys to the success of chime casting technology. As mentioned earlier, "Kao Gong Ji" says: "Gold has six qi, and its six points of gold and tin account for one, which is called the qi of the tripod." The tin content of [2 1] is one seventh, that is, 14.3%, indicating that the casting technology at that time was standardized. In addition, bronze chimes unearthed in all parts of our country were all cast by separate casting. [22] Modern scientific appraisal shows that, taking all kinds of bronzes unearthed from the tomb of Zeng Houyi as an example, their manufacturing techniques are roughly mud casting, separate casting, soft welding, brazing, carving, inlaying, riveting, investment casting and other casting techniques. [23]

Physical and chemical analysis and dating method of bronze chimes

Physical and chemical analysis

? According to Chen Tiemei's book Archaeology of Science and Technology, Chapter 5, Overview of Metallurgical Archaeology, there are four main methods to study metal cultural relics such as bronze bells, which are briefly described as follows:

Chemical composition measurement;

? Before the middle of the 20th century, the traditional wet chemical quantitative analysis method was used to measure chemical composition. With the development of analytical instruments, commonly used instruments are: Atomic Emission Spectrometer (AES);

Atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS);

X-ray fluorescence spectrometer;

Electron probe (EPMA);

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and neutron activation analysis (INAA). [24]

Microstructure observation;

? The mechanical properties of bronze products are determined by the microstructure of their alloys. Instruments used for observation and research mainly include:

Solid state microscope;

Fig. 5, solid-state microscope

Optical metallographic microscope;

? Fig. 6, Optical Metallography Microscope

Electron microscope. [25]

Figure 7, Electron Microscope

Phase analysis;

? Using the corrosion products produced on the surface of bronze products for mineral phase analysis, the main methods are as follows:

X-ray diffraction spectrometer;

Infrared absorption spectrometer (IRAS) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR);

Laser Raman spectrometer. [26]

Lead isotope analysis.

The instrument for measuring lead isotope ratio is mainly mass spectrometer. [27]

Dating method

Due to the special properties of bronzes, it is difficult to determine their ages. At present, the age of bronze bells can only be determined indirectly. For example, clay or sandy casting molds may remain on individual bronze bells, so thermoluminescence dating can be used to determine the production age of bronze. [28]

At present, many research institutes are doing research on direct dating of bronzes. We have reason to be optimistic that in the near future, bronze products such as chimes will be able to date directly.

Application of computer and mathematics in bronze chime archaeology

Nowadays, the application of computers is in the ascendant. Taking bronze chimes as an example, they are widely used in archaeology, including computer simulation and excavation registration. Computer technology in cartography; Computer simulation of the problem; Computer management of information and so on. [29] For example, in 2007, during the restoration of chimes in Hubei Museum, the original sound of chimes was collected into the computer, and the restoration of the original sound became a new standard for the restoration of bronze chimes. [30]

In addition, the application of mathematics in archaeology is also very common, such as: mathematical models in archaeology; Application of mathematical statistics in archaeology: application of fuzzy mathematics in archaeology: application of system theory in archaeology. [3 1]

? label

? By 20 17, emerging technologies of human beings have emerged one after another. Today, artificial intelligence has defeated human Go masters. Technologies such as AR and VR are constantly updated. With the maturity of 3D technology, who says that bronze chimes can't be repaired or copied with 3D technology in the future? As mentioned above, it is increasingly possible to realize the direct dating of bronze products such as chimes. It can be predicted that all kinds of new technologies will be applied to the archaeology of bronze chimes, and mankind will rationally apply all kinds of new technologies to solve many puzzles of our ancestors' wisdom and benefit present and future generations. Perhaps this is the purpose of discussing the significance of scientific archaeology with the bronze bell as an example.

refer to

[1] Xin Wang, China ancient musical instruments [M], Beijing: China Commercial Press, 20 15, P6.

[2] Jiang Dingsui, An Introduction to China Ancient Chimes [J], China Music, 1995, (1)P 17.

[3] Guan Xiaowu, The Development of Bronze Chimes [J], Historical Materials of China Science and Technology, 200 1, (1), P39.

[4] Same as [3], p. 39.

[5] Same as [3], p. 39.

[6] Same as [3], p. 39.

[7] Same as [3], p. 40.

[8] Fang Jianjun, Interpretation of Underground Music Texts-Collection of Music Archaeology in Fang Jianjun [M],

Shanghai: Shanghai Conservatory of Music Press, 2006, P259.

[9] Xu Qin, China ancient material culture-musical instruments [M], Beijing: Ming Kai Publishing House, 20 15, P 125.

[10] same as [3], page 40

[1 1] same as [3], page 40.

[12] is the same as [2], page 20.

[13] is the same as [2], page 20.

[14] Qing Beibei, Sina Blog-Wonderful Bowl Qin [OL]

[15] Liu Yutang, Zeng Houyi's chime and China's achievements in ancient art and science and technology [J], Journal of Wuhan University (Humanities Edition), 59 volumes (5), P597.

[16] (Song Dynasty) By Shen Kuo, Written Talk-Written TalkNo. 1 Volume [M], Shanghai: Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House (20 13), P278.

[17] is the same as [15], P597.

[18] Wu, Science in Music [M], Beijing: Higher Education Press, (20 12), P64.

[19], textual research note [M], Shanghai: Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House, (2008), P4 1.

[20] with [15], P597.

[2 1] same as [19], P4 1.

[22] same as [2], P 18.

[23] with [15], P596.

[24] Chen Tiemei, Archaeology of Science and Technology [M], Beijing: Peking University Publishing House, (2008), p11-14.

[25] same as [24], P 1 14- 120.

[26] same as [24], P 12 1- 125.

[27] same as [24], P 126- 139.

[28] same as [24], P 126.

[29] Pan, Application of Science and Technology in Archaeology-Physical and Chemical Analysis of Cultural Relics PPT-5[EB], P57

[30] Hu Jiaxi et al, Orthopedic Positioning Device and Its Application in the Restoration of Bronze Chimes [J], Cultural Relics Restoration and Research, 2009(00), P 1.

[3 1] is the same as [29], P58

The pictures in this article are all from the Internet.