Study On The Minerals,Mining And Metallurgy And Mineral Society In The Area Of Raozhou And Xinzhou Of Song Dynasty

The natural geographical environment is one of the basic elements that shape various types of human society.“Mineral area society”is such a special social type based on geological and mineral conditions which taking mineral exploitation and utilization as its“core value”.It is a kind of social system formed on the basis of technical understanding and mastery of mineral resources,as well as the exquisite design of social economy,political culture and other aspects.The historical records,the anthology notes,the chorography,the unearthed literature,the folk literature and the archaeological materials had showed that due to the rich mineral resources,the predominant geographical position,Mining and smelting of metal minerals of the area of Raozhou and Xinzhou(i.e.,Raozhou,Xinzhou),especially Dexing(德兴),Yanshan(铅山)and other places,with the addition of copper cash casting of Yongping(永平监)had bind a relatively complete production system of mining and smelting industry in Song dynasty.A large number of mine workers,soldiers,owner of a mine who master certain technology and capital,managers of national mining and smelting,farmers,woodcutters,as well as small tradesmen and porters had formed a regional social community with comprehensive functions which main activities were metal mining and processing.In this area,the circulation of metal raw materials,mining and smelting fuels and other resources was active.The development and maturity of gallbladder copper technology in the area of Raozhou and Xinzhou were a special significance to the construction of the society in this area.The Zhang family of Dexing which“invented”the copper leaching method,and a number of official families who entered the bureaucratic system of mining and metallurgy in the Song dynasty also made contributions to the social construction of the mining area in the area of Raozhou and Xinzhou in the Song dynasty.Generally speaking,the mining society of the area of Raozhou and Xinzhou in Song Dynasty was a regional social unit with strict management system and mature technical concept,which was based on abundant metal mineral resources and centered on mineral mining,smelting and metal processing and manufacturing,under the joint action of state and society.It had a profound influence on the local social economy,political culture and ideology,and also had its place in the mining and metallurgy industry of the Song Dynasty.It is worth doing more in-depth and comprehensive studies.