DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18665121
title: East Asian Prehistoric Human-Face Jade Form 05 (EANJ_FACE_05):
High-Resolution Digital Documentation of Morphology, Perforations, Surface Evolution, and Tool Traces

description: Core Statement

1.1 This record contains high-resolution original visual data of a jade object with a human-face form (Form ID: EANJ_FACE_05).

1.2 As part of a systematic digital documentation initiative, this dataset provides high-fidelity visual evidence intended to support morphological analysis, traceological studies, and materials science–related research.

1.3 The digital documentation of this object forms part of an expanding corpus designed to serve as a citable baseline for future cross-object comparative research. No cross-sample comparative interpretation is attempted at the present stage.

 

2. Access and Use Conditions

2.1 Access RestrictionsFor reasons of data security and adherence to academic standards, the high-resolution original files in this dataset are subject to restricted access.

2.2 Application RequirementsApplicants are required to submit a clearly defined research purpose and institutional affiliation via the Zenodo platform.

2.3 Use LimitationsThis dataset is intended exclusively for academic research, visual documentation, and comparative analysis. Any commercial use, non-academic dissemination, or reproduction beyond academic comparative purposes is strictly prohibited without the explicit authorization of the dataset publisher.

 

3. Dataset Composition

3.1 Overview DocumentationHigh-resolution photographs of the front and reverse views, documenting the overall proportions and geometric structure of the object.

3.2 Measurement ReferenceImages including a metric scale for quantitative reference.



Length: 7.0 cm

Width: 2.9 cm

Thickness: 1.4 cm

Weight: 25 g


3.3 Microscopic EvidenceHigh-magnification macro images documenting perforation morphology, micro-weathering features, and observable surface modifications.

 

4. List of Object Images

This dataset includes seven high-resolution images, as listed below:



Front view: documentation of facial morphology and overall proportionsEANJ_FACE_05_FRONT

Reverse view: documentation of rear contour morphologyEANJ_FACE_05_REVERSE

Scaled view: image including metric scale for dimensional referenceEANJ_FACE_05_WITH_SCALE

Front eye perforation macro view (left eye): documentation of perforation morphologyEANJ_FACE_05_MIC_FRONT_ONP_L

Front eye perforation macro view (right eye): documentation of perforation morphologyEANJ_FACE_05_MIC_FRONT_ONP_R

Front top macro view: documentation of three linear grooves on the top sectionEANJ_FACE_05_MIC_FRONT_WEAR_2

Front lower macro view: documentation of linear grooves in the mouth areaEANJ_FACE_05_MIC_FRONT_WEAR_1

Reverse raking-light macro view: documentation of polishing traces and surface discolorationEANJ_FACE_05_MIC_REVERSE_WEAR


 

5. Observed Morphological and Structural Features

5.1 The overall volume is symmetrically developed along the vertical axis, with clearly tapered upper and lower ends. The maximum cross-sectional thickness occurs in the central portion of the object.

5.2 The facial features are rendered in a highly simplified manner. The eyes are expressed as symmetrically positioned circular perforations that pass entirely through the object, with a solid partition preserved between the two openings. The nose is positioned along the central axis and forms a continuous protruding volume with a triangular profile; no distinct nasal wings are observed. The mouth is represented by a shallow horizontal groove, without differentiation between upper and lower lips.

5.3 The reverse surface appears relatively even, and no clearly distinguishable complex morphological elements are observable in the imagery.

5.4 Three parallel, obliquely oriented linear shallow grooves are visible on the upper frontal area. Sediment residues and surface polishing traces are observable within these grooves.

5.5 A pronounced stepped transition is visible along the vertical axis from the nasal bridge to the mouth region.

5.6 All descriptions above are strictly based on features directly observable in the images and do not involve any interpretation related to manufacturing techniques, function, chronology, or cultural attribution.

5.7 Both the upper and lower terminal ends appear intact, with no evident fractures or losses observable in the imagery.

 

6. Limitations, Observational Constraints, and Open Questions

6.1 Observational Constraints



The interiors of the eye perforations are affected by natural sediment and weathering layers, limiting the observation of potential micro-traces.

The object’s vertically tapering three-dimensional form and the transition of the eye area from incised to relief-like modeling present challenges for planar photographic documentation.

The complexity of the object’s morphology poses challenges to standard measurement approaches, necessitating adjusted quantitative methodologies.


These constraints are documented to support transparency and encourage methodological refinement.

6.2 Open Questions

The following aspects may require independent quantitative assessment or methodological development:



Whether the object’s dimensions and overall morphology fall at the margins of the currently documented sample distribution.

The typological position of representing eyes as “ox-nose–style” perforations within known sample sequences.

Whether the through-perforated eyes imply any potential functional use, and how such a possibility might be evaluated.

The mechanisms and conditions responsible for the formation of irregular surface erosion and pitting.


These points are presented solely as open research directions and do not constitute any conclusions.

 

7. Imaging and Processing

7.1All images were captured in RAW format using a full-frame camera equipped with a 90 mm macro lens and subsequently converted to JPEG files (approximately 42 megapixels per image), with no localized retouching.

7.2Photography was conducted under controlled lighting conditions with a neutral background to minimize environmental interference.

7.3No physical treatment or surface intervention was applied to the object during imaging.

7.4Post-processing, where applied, was limited to global exposure and white balance adjustments to accurately reflect the visual condition of the material.

 

8. Compliance and Due Diligence

8.1The compilation and release of this dataset follow fundamental principles of academic data management.

8.2Prior to digitization and publication, the dataset underwent internal review addressing publication risk, usage boundaries, and alignment with academic standards to ensure transparency, prudence, and procedural integrity.

8.3This dataset is released exclusively as a non-interpretive visual record and does not constitute any form of academic conclusion, cultural attribution, chronological determination, or institutional position.