Craftsmanship and Manufacturing Techniques of Bone Bow‐End Plates From Pit 1 of the Qin Terracotta Army

This study examines 14 specimens of bone mi (bow‐end plates) excavated from Pit No. 1 of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. Multiple analytical methods were employed to investigate the raw material, manufacturing traces, and surface residues of the mi . Paleoproteomic analysis identified type I collagen peptides uniquely consistent with Cervidae (cervid) bone, demonstrating that the mi were specifically manufactured from cervid long bones. Microwear and microscopic analyses revealed file, denticulate, chisel, abrasion, and drilling marks associated with shaping and finishing processes. Metric and microwear analyses revealed standardized morphological features as well as file, denticulate, chisel, abrasion, and drilling marks associated with shaping and finishing processes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that the surface coating exhibits a multilayered structure with characteristic absorption bands consistent with those of modern lacquer films, indicating the application of a protective or decorative layer. Together, these features indicate a standardized production sequence involving material selection, shaping, surface modification, assembly, and painting, thereby providing insights into the technological organization in Qin archery equipment.