Study on determining the sources of cinnabar in the Han Dynasty tombs in Wuchuan

The provenance of cinnabar at archaeological sites has received considerable attention. This study aimed to determine the origin of cinnabar excavated from six Han Dynasty tombs in Wuchuan County, Guizhou Province. Qualitative analysis was conducted using Raman spectroscopy, while multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) was employed to measure sulfur isotopes and trace elements. The obtained data were comparatively analyzed against the cinnabar provenance database of China. The research results reveal three findings. ① All six samples from the Wuchuan Han tombs exhibit characteristic Raman vibration peaks at 142, 250, 286 and 341 cm^-1, confirming their identity as cinnabar; ② Comprehensive analysis of “δ³⁴S_v-CDT, δ³³S_v-CDT and Δ³³S” sulfur isotopes and UMAP clustering of trace elements confirms all six samples originated locally within Wuchuan County. Specifically, WC-1 derives from Baishidong (BSD), while WC-2 to WC-6 primarily originate from Hongyehudong (HYH) and 1020 Shibaxian (1020SBX) mining sites in Sankeng Village; ③ These findings demonstrate that cinnabar deposits in Wuchuan County, which were discovered, mined and utilized by ancient inhabitants no later than the Western Han Dynasty. This research presents the first precise provenance identification of archaeological cinnabar in China and demonstrates that combined sulfur isotopes and trace elements analysis offers an effective method for such studies. This work not only advances the methodological framework for cinnabar provenance identification but also provides critical technical support and chronological evidence for research into ancient Chinese cinnabar mining practices.