Identifying sources of fibre in Chinese handmade papers by phytoliths: A methodological exploration
This paper proposed phytoliths as promising for identifying and distinguishing sources of fibre in Chinese handmade papers. For an initial methodological exploration, two types of Raw Xuan (unprocessed Xuan paper) and the two plant materials used in making them—namely rice straw and bark from blue s...
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1475454 |
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doaj-f972d02961164977aa861c5db92562a52020-11-24T23:20:36ZengTaylor & Francis GroupScience and Technology of Archaeological Research2054-89232018-05-010011110.1080/20548923.2018.14754541475454Identifying sources of fibre in Chinese handmade papers by phytoliths: A methodological explorationTao Li0University of Chinese Academy of SciencesThis paper proposed phytoliths as promising for identifying and distinguishing sources of fibre in Chinese handmade papers. For an initial methodological exploration, two types of Raw Xuan (unprocessed Xuan paper) and the two plant materials used in making them—namely rice straw and bark from blue sandalwood (Pteroceltis tatarinowii Maxim.)—were collected. The dry ashing method was used to extract phytoliths from Raw Xuan and its plant materials. The results can be summarized as follows. First, phytoliths characteristic of rice (Oryza sativa) were abundant in both rice straw and Raw Xuan. By looking for rice phytoliths, it is possible to tell whether or not rice straw fibre is used in a particular paper. Second, hair cell phytoliths were observed in considerable quantities in blue sandalwood bark, but absent in the examined papers. Heat experiments showed that phytoliths in blue sandalwood were resistant to long-term heat and they would unlikely be eliminated when exposed to the heat in papermaking (with heat source barely above 200°C). It is hypothesised that they dissolved while cooked in an alkaline pH (limewater). Further studies are necessary to understand whether phytoliths in blue sandalwood—while cooked in limewater—undergo morphological changes and, if yes, how.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1475454Fibre identificationChinese handmade paperXuan paperBlue sandalwoodPhytolithsDry ashing |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Tao Li |
spellingShingle |
Tao Li Identifying sources of fibre in Chinese handmade papers by phytoliths: A methodological exploration Science and Technology of Archaeological Research Fibre identification Chinese handmade paper Xuan paper Blue sandalwood Phytoliths Dry ashing |
author_facet |
Tao Li |
author_sort |
Tao Li |
title |
Identifying sources of fibre in Chinese handmade papers by phytoliths: A methodological exploration |
title_short |
Identifying sources of fibre in Chinese handmade papers by phytoliths: A methodological exploration |
title_full |
Identifying sources of fibre in Chinese handmade papers by phytoliths: A methodological exploration |
title_fullStr |
Identifying sources of fibre in Chinese handmade papers by phytoliths: A methodological exploration |
title_full_unstemmed |
Identifying sources of fibre in Chinese handmade papers by phytoliths: A methodological exploration |
title_sort |
identifying sources of fibre in chinese handmade papers by phytoliths: a methodological exploration |
publisher |
Taylor & Francis Group |
series |
Science and Technology of Archaeological Research |
issn |
2054-8923 |
publishDate |
2018-05-01 |
description |
This paper proposed phytoliths as promising for identifying and distinguishing sources of fibre in Chinese handmade papers. For an initial methodological exploration, two types of Raw Xuan (unprocessed Xuan paper) and the two plant materials used in making them—namely rice straw and bark from blue sandalwood (Pteroceltis tatarinowii Maxim.)—were collected. The dry ashing method was used to extract phytoliths from Raw Xuan and its plant materials. The results can be summarized as follows. First, phytoliths characteristic of rice (Oryza sativa) were abundant in both rice straw and Raw Xuan. By looking for rice phytoliths, it is possible to tell whether or not rice straw fibre is used in a particular paper. Second, hair cell phytoliths were observed in considerable quantities in blue sandalwood bark, but absent in the examined papers. Heat experiments showed that phytoliths in blue sandalwood were resistant to long-term heat and they would unlikely be eliminated when exposed to the heat in papermaking (with heat source barely above 200°C). It is hypothesised that they dissolved while cooked in an alkaline pH (limewater). Further studies are necessary to understand whether phytoliths in blue sandalwood—while cooked in limewater—undergo morphological changes and, if yes, how. |
topic |
Fibre identification Chinese handmade paper Xuan paper Blue sandalwood Phytoliths Dry ashing |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20548923.2018.1475454 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT taoli identifyingsourcesoffibreinchinesehandmadepapersbyphytolithsamethodologicalexploration |
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