Analysis of Ancient Liao Zhu by Using Micro-CT from Machuan Cemetery

In this study, the Micro-CT was first applied to study ancient Chinese Liao Zhu. The results suggested that the two Liao Zhu were glass beads, not faience beads, and the internal structure of Western Zhou faience beads were distinct from early glass beads. Micro-CT was proved to be a new method to distinguish Liao Zhu. As shown in CT slices and 3D models, the shape of Warring State glass spherical air bubbles are different from West Han glass oblate air bubbles. Many irregular and shape cornered crevices can also be found in M118-100. The differences in intemal structure inferred their differences in manufacture process. The Warring State glass bead M118-100 should be manufactured by mold-casting techniques, and the West Han glass bead M156-23 was possibly manufactured by the drawn technique. Micro-CT provided an effective method to analyze the manufacturing process of ancient glass in a nondestructive manner.