DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18701023
title: East Asian Prehistoric Human-Face Jade Form 12 (EANJ_FACE_12):
High-Resolution Digital Documentation of Morphology, Perforations, Surface Evolution, and Tool Traces

description: 1. Core Statement

1.1 This record contains high-resolution original visual data of a jade object in the form of a human face (Form ID: EANJ_FACE_12).

1.2 As a foundational research component of the digital archiving initiative for this specimen, the dataset provides high-fidelity visual evidence to support morphological analysis, traceological observation, and materials science–related research.

1.3 The digital documentation of this object forms part of a continuously expanding dataset intended to provide citable baseline material for future cross-object comparative studies. At the present stage, no cross-sample comparative interpretation is undertaken.

 

2. Access and Use Conditions

2.1 Access Restrictions

For reasons of data security and academic compliance, the high-resolution original files of this dataset are subject to restricted access.

2.2 Application Requirements

Applicants are required to submit a clear statement of research purpose and institutional affiliation through the Zenodo platform.

2.3 Use Limitations

This dataset is restricted to academic research, visual documentation, and comparative analysis. Any commercial use, non-academic dissemination, or reproduction beyond scholarly comparative purposes is strictly prohibited without explicit authorization from the dataset publisher.

 

3. Dataset Composition

3.1 Overall Documentation

High-resolution photographs of the front and reverse, recording the overall proportions and geometric structure of the object.

3.2 Metric Reference

Images including a metric scale for quantitative reference.



Length: 7.5 cm

Width: 4.6 cm

Thickness: 0.9 cm

Weight: 41 g


3.3 Microscopic Evidence

High-magnification macro images documenting perforation configurations, micro-weathering features, and observable surface modification traces.

 

4. List of Object Images

The dataset includes the following high-resolution images:



Front view: Records facial configuration and overall proportionsEANJ_FACE_12_FRONT

Reverse view: Shows the rear contourEANJ_FACE_12_REVERSE

Scale view: Includes a metric scale for dimensional referenceEANJ_FACE_12_WITH_SCALE

Front oblique macro view: Records surface trace morphologyEANJ_FACE_12_MIC_FRONT_WEAR

Reverse macro view (left perforation): Records left perforation morphologyEANJ_FACE_12_MIC_REVERSE_ONP_L

Reverse macro view (right perforation): Records right perforation morphologyEANJ_FACE_12_MIC_REVERSE_ONP_R

Reverse macro view: Records surface trace morphology on the reverseEANJ_FACE_12_REVERSE_MIC

Front macro view: Records surface trace morphologyEANJ_FACE_12_MIC_FRONT_BH2


 

5. Observed Morphological Features

5.1

The object presents a vertically elongated, near-ovoid flattened volume, with a relatively broad and rounded upper portion and a slightly tapered lower end. The overall layout follows a longitudinal central axis, exhibiting a stable axial symmetry.

5.2 Facial Contour Features

The front edge of the object is surrounded by a ring of regularly arranged circular recessed hole-like structures (non-penetrating), forming a continuous dotted boundary effect.

In the region extending from above the eyes to the brow area, layered variations in surface height are visible, with the brow positioned relatively high. A parallel row of circular recessed hole-like structures is present above the brow line, together with the outer edge perforations delineating the upper facial contour.

5.3 Facial Feature Structures



Eyes: Represented by two symmetrically positioned circular through-perforations with relatively large diameters and clearly defined edges.

Nose: Appears as a vertically elongated ridge-like protrusion extending from the inter-brow region to above the mouth; the lateral contours are not clearly defined in the images.

Mouth: Represented by a circular through-perforation located below the central axis; visually, its diameter appears slightly smaller than that of the eye perforations.


5.4 Perforation-Related Features

A pair of closely adjacent perforations is visible in the upper central area of the reverse. Observation indicates that the inner wall of the right perforation displays line-shaped surface traces with a spiral-oriented distribution, which appear more clearly defined than those observed in the left perforation.

5.5 Surface Condition

The base material appears light white in tone. Localized dark brown erosion features are visible on both the front and reverse surfaces, with the erosion around the outer edge of the left reverse perforation appearing relatively more pronounced.

5.6 Reverse Structural Features

Near the central axis on the reverse, a longitudinal ridge-like protrusion is visible, extending from the top to the bottom of the object and passing through the areas corresponding to the paired perforations, eyes, and mouth. Aside from this structure, no other deliberately formed surface decorative features are observed. The overall degree of surface weathering on the reverse appears consistent with that of the front.

5.7 Scope of Description

All descriptions above are strictly limited to morphological and structural features directly observable in the images and do not involve any interpretations regarding production methods, function, chronology, or cultural attribution.

 

6. Limitations, Observational Constraints, and Open Questions

6.1 Observational Constraints

Overlap of staining and texture:The extensive presence of light-colored longitudinal textures combined with fine staining on the surface makes it difficult, under static imaging conditions, to fully distinguish original material textures from later-formed surface alterations.

Insufficient depth information of recessed features:Due to the absence of corresponding lateral macro images, it is difficult to accurately assess the consistency of recess depth and the basal surface morphology of the circular recessed features located along the edge and brow areas.

6.2 Open Questions



Formation of the central reverse ridge:The formation mechanism of the longitudinal ridge-like protrusion on the reverse remains unclear and may relate to initial material configuration, residual shaping volume, or structural stability, requiring further observation and analysis.

Distribution of dotted perforation arrangements:The frequency and distribution range of such dense dotted arrangements within recorded morphologically similar specimens, as well as their statistical positioning, require examination through larger comparative datasets.

Proportional and spatial relationships of the three perforations:Whether the proportional relationships and spatial configuration formed by the eye and mouth perforations exhibit quantifiable repetitive patterns remains to be determined through further measurement and analysis.

Surface coloration and preservation conditions:The relationship between the object’s overall light white appearance and localized staining, and whether this co-occurrence reflects specific physical or chemical aspects of its preservation environment, cannot be confirmed based on the current image data alone.


 

7. Imaging and Processing

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

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

7.3 No physical handling or surface intervention was performed on the object during image acquisition.

7.4 Post-processing, if applied, was limited to global exposure and white balance adjustments to ensure accurate visual representation of the material condition.

 

8. Compliance and Due Diligence

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

8.2 Prior to digitization and publication, the dataset underwent internal review addressing publication risk, usage boundaries, and alignment with academic norms, ensuring a transparent, cautious, and procedurally sound process.

8.3 This dataset is published solely as a non-interpretive record of original visual data and does not constitute any academic conclusions, cultural attributions, chronological determinations, or institutional positions.