Analysis of Lacquer from the Zeng Cemetery (1046–771 BCE) at Guojiamiao

The wooden lacquerware unearthed from the Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BCE) Zeng Cemetery of Guojiamiao in Hubei Province, China, holds significant cultural value. Although the artifacts retain intact lacquer films, the wooden bodies exhibit high moisture content and severe decay, necessitating immediate dehydration and reinforcement. The characterization of the samples was carried out using microscopy, SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy—Energy Dispersive Spectrometry), XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), Raman spectroscopy, and THM-Py-GC/MS (Thermally Assisted Hydrolysis–Methylation Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) to analyze their physical and chemical properties, while moisture content was assessed through the loss-on-drying method. Findings reveal that the wooden structures of the dou and bow are made from Catalpa wood and Sawtooth oak, respectively, with a moisture content reaching 274%. The lacquer film comprises three layers: a mortar layer, a lacquer layer, and a cinnabar-containing red pigment layer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the material properties of lacquered wood artifacts, focusing on the application of advanced analytical techniques to assess their condition and composition, offering a foundation for effective conservation strategies for these cultural relics.