Geochemical evidence for Hongzhou-related celadon in Jiankang by AD 282

The Six Dynasties period (AD 222–589) witnessed political fragmentation alongside expanding ceramic production and exchange in early medieval China. This study integrates typological assessment, LA-ICP-MS trace-element and rare-earth element analyses, and SEM-EDS observations of six celadons from three tombs at Dengfushan cemetery in Nanjing (ancient Jiankang). Despite differences in appearance, glaze preservation and major-element chemistry, the vessels show broadly comparable quality-controlled trace-element and rare-earth element signatures. Exploratory comparisons indicate their closest overall compositional affinity is with published Hongzhou-related datasets rather than Yue or Yuezhou materials. Tomb M132, securely dated by inscribed bricks to AD 282, provides a Western Jin context for Hongzhou-related celadon in Jiankang, more than a century earlier than late Eastern Jin (AD 400–420) examples emphasised previously. The dataset demonstrates the value of integrating typology, elemental chemistry and microstructure in ceramic provenance research.