Scientific analysis of Tang Dynasty Go pieces excavated from the Lafuqueke Cemetery in Xinjiang

Go is an ancient game that originated in China over two millennia ago, achieving widespread popularity and codified rules during the Tang Dynasty. Numerous Go artifacts have been unearthed, but the classification of these Go pieces has often been based on visual inspection alone, leading to a significant accumulation of errors and misleading subsequent scholars who attempted more detailed analyses. This study employs various technical methods to establish a scientific research standard. Specifically, we selected Go pieces excavated from a Tang Dynasty tomb at the Lafuqueke Cemetery in Xinjiang. First, digital microscopy was used to assess their dimensions and appearance. A comparative analysis with other well-documented Tang Dynasty Go pieces revealed that the Lafuqueke pieces are smaller in size but closely resemble those found in regions like Dunhuang. Their shape is biconvex, aligning with the standard shape that emerged during the Tang Dynasty, where at least one side of the Go pieces is convex. Subsequently, through the application of Raman spectroscopy, XRD, XRF, and SEM analysis, it was determined that the black Go pieces are primarily composed of clinochlore, while the white pieces consist mainly of calcite. These findings suggest that the raw materials used to produce these Go pieces likely originated from the Qilian Mountain region near Dunhuang, a theory supported by historical records highlighting Dunhuang’s role in supplying Go pieces to the imperial court. By integrating mineralogical data with historical context, this study provides new insights into the production and distribution of Tang Dynasty Go pieces, emphasizing the intersection of cultural history and scientific inquiry. This research not only reveals the material composition of these artifacts but also raises broader questions about the logistics, trade networks, and regional specialization that underpinned the manufacture of cultural items in ancient China.