Scientific Analysis of Proto-Porcelain Manufacturing Technology at the Tangbei Site in Suzhou, China

Abstract Exploring the technological characteristics and evolutionary processes of proto-porcelain across diverse regions and phases is key to researching the origin and development of early porcelain. In this study, multiple scientific methods were employed to analyze the manufacturing technology of proto-porcelain unearthed from the Tangbei Site in Suzhou. The results indicate that the manufacturing technology of proto-porcelain at the Tangbei Site progressed progressively alongside shifts in cultural characteristics. Influenced by cultural factors from the circum-Tai region, the development of proto-porcelain craftmanship in Suzhou region was consistently dominated by the technology of Yue culture, exhibiting an identical technical advancement process to that of the core production areas. This study provides a sequential perspective for revealing the technological development of proto-porcelain in the Suzhou region, aiming to offer new clues for deepening research on social and cultural landscape of both the Suzhou region and the circum-Tai region.