The lacquer crafting of Ba state: Insights from a Warring States lacquer scabbard excavated from Lijiaba site (Chongqing, southwest China)

The lacquer scabbard of a bronze sword dating from the Warring States (476–221 BCE) and excavated Ba tomb Lijiaba site (Chongqing, southwest China) was characterized by multidisciplinary approach including microscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS), Raman spectroscopy pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass (Py-GC/MS). Pyrolysis-comprehensive two-dimensional gas (Py-GCxGC/MS) has been applied for first time characterization valuable archaeological sample confirming benefits this technique description ingredients used in formulation coating. Besides, analytical results also showed that, accordance with what is suspected employed at period, two film layers bone-derived ground layer were present as confirmed hydroxyapatite particles (Ca5(PO4)3OH) different sizes. Py-GC/MS analysis allowed identification origin Toxicodendron vernicifluum detection potential drying oil markers, while Py-GCxGC/MS revealed presence series polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compounds non-characterizable 1D GC/MS analysis. This latter observation highlights use soot attributed to plant conjunction bone manufacture coloring lacquers.