A wooden brazier and ritual plant burning in early Iron Age Xinjiang, China

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the function of a wooden brazier excavated from the Hongshan Cemetery (5th to 3rd century BC) in Xinjiang, northwestern China. Organic residues and material composition were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and wood anatomical analysis to identify burned plant resources and explore their cultural significance. GC-MS results confirmed the presence of cannabinol (CBN) in multiple samples, providing direct evidence for the burning of cannabis. Artemisia ketone, benzaldehyde, and benzoic acid esters were also identified, indicating the burning of Artemisia annua and other aromatic plants, along with plant-derived biomarkers that indicate diverse plant materials. Wood anatomical analysis identified the brazier as made from Picea sp. trunks, and repeated scorch marks support its interpretation as a specialised ritual implement rather than a domestic vessel. These findings provide new chemical evidence for the multifaceted roles of plants in early Iron Age Xinjiang, encompassing ritual practices and spiritual expression.