Investigation of a Chinese ink rubbing by 14C AMS analysis

Abstract

The date of a Chinese ink rubbing was determined using radiocarbon accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) to be in the range from AD 1480 to AD 1670 (95.4% confidence limit). Together with a scanning electron miscroscope (SEM) analysis of the ink and a comparative study of the Chinese characters, it was determined that the ink rubbing must have been performed before Emperor Kang Hsi (AD 1662-1722), who ruled at the beginning of the Chin Dynasty. On the other hand, the stone stele, from which the ink rubbing was produced, was carved in AD 531, which is consistent with an analysis of some erased characters. Such analysis seems to be useful to help clarify possible forgeries of these art objects.