United KingdomResearchers from the China University of Geosciences successfully recreated a lost Ming Dynasty goldworking technique called Jin zhe si, which allows for the creation of intricate filigree-like patterns without using wire. By studying gold earrings found in the tomb of Prince Zhu Zairong, they discovered that the technique involved folding thin gold foil into layered, corrugated structures. Using historical records and microscopic analysis, the team reverse-engineered the process and created a replica that closely matched the original in form, texture, and weight. They tested the method with silver and aluminum, but only high-purity gold could be folded repeatedly without breaking, highlighting the unique properties required for this ancient technique.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a scientific and cultural achievement without overt political bias. It focuses on the technical and historical aspects of a lost art form, emphasizing academic and archaeological methods rather than ideological perspectives.
