In situ identification of gemstone beads excavated from tombs of the Han Dynasties in Hepu county, Guangxi Province, China using a portable Raman spectrometer

A portable Raman spectrometer was used for the in situ nondestructive analysis of precious gemstone beads collected in the Han‐Cultural Museum of Hepu county. These beads dated to the Han Dynasties (206 bc to 220 ad) were unearthed from the Hepu county, which was one of the important ancient ports along the Maritime Silk Road, Guangxi Province. Gemstone beads made of beryl group minerals (e.g. aquamarine, goshenite and heliodor) and almandine, which had formerly been mistakenly regarded as coloured quartz beads, were successfully identified. These beryl beads were the earliest known ones ever found in China. In addition, some beads made of amethyst, chalcedony and citrine were also determined. Referred to the research results reported for other artefacts from Hepu county and other places, the possible provenances of these gemstone beads are discussed briefly. The present research provides valuable information for the early trade between south China and South Asia through the Maritime Silk Road. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. A total of 69 precious gemstone beads dated to the Han Dynasties (206 bc to 220 ad) collected in the Han Cultural Museum of Hepu county were in situ nondestructively analysed by a portable Raman spectrometer. Most of them were made of beryl group minerals (e.g., aquamarine, goshenite and heliodor), had formerly been mistakenly regarded as coloured quartz beads, which were the earliest known gems ever found in China. Referred to the research results reported for other artefacts from Hepu county and other places, we prefer to think that most of these gems were possibly imported from South Asia and Southeast Asia via the Maritime Silk Road. This preliminary work will be useful for the researchers of scientific analyst and archaeologist.