A wooden brazier and ritual plant burning in early Iron Age Xinjiang, China
Yuanchun Song, Yongqiang Wang, Yunpeng Tang, Dong Wang, Ruru Chen, Rui Wen
npj Heritage Science October 3, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s40494-026-02984-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Archaeological residue and material analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Organic residues and wood from a wooden brazier excavated at the Hongshan Cemetery, Xinjiang, China (5th to 3rd century BC) |
| Key points | The authors report that cannabinol detected by GC-MS in multiple residue samples provides direct evidence of cannabis burning in the brazier, alongside markers of Artemisia annua and other aromatic plants. Wood anatomy identifies the brazier as Picea sp. with repeated scorch marks, which the authors argue indicates a specialised ritual implement rather than a domestic vessel. |
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.