Searching for the earliest use of limestone as a flux in Chinese high-fired ceramic glazes—evidence from Sr isotopic analysis of Chinese northern porcelain

Samples of northern porcelain wares dating to between the 6th and 13th centuries from three most important Chinese ceramic kiln sites, Gongyi, Xing Ding have been studied in this work. The Sr isotope chemical compositions glazes these determined. Based on scientific results we able suggest raw materials used make glazes. Using Strontium isotopic analysis successfully shown that earliest use limestone as a glaze flux so far identified is during period Sui mid-Tang Dynasties (late 6th-early 9th century) produce white slip glazed ware kilns it may ‘invented’ there.