Technological integration and innovation in architectural ceramics in the Yuan Dynasty: chemical investigation for the glazed tiles of the Prince Anxi’ s mansion, China

Glazed tiles, a symbol of high-grade architecture in ancient China, first appeared in the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD. 386–534). They reached their peak in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (AD. 1368–1912), and the Yuan Dynasty (AD. 1271–1368) was a key stage in the development and maturity of the glazed tile technology. As one of the representatives of royal architecture in the early Yuan Dynasty, scientific research on the unearthed glazed tiles from the site of Prince Anxi’s mansion can assist to understand how glazed tile technology matured during the Yuan Dynasty. Using compositional analysis and microscopic observation, 24 glazed tiles from the Prince Anxi’s mansion were systematically examined in this study. The findings revealed that the glazed tiles were made using four different production formulas and came from three different technological traditions, which originated from the integration of various regions’ glazed tile production technologies and enhanced innovation within the currently used technologies. The resulting glazed tile production technologies exhibit a high degree of similarity with the Yuandadu ‘s glazed tile production technologies, suggesting that integration and innovation are crucial for the Yuan Dynasty’s glazed tile technologies to mature.