DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18704618
title: East Asian Prehistoric Human-Face Jade Form 14 (EANJ_FACE_14):
High-Resolution Digital Documentation of Morphology, Perforations, Surface Evolution, and Tool Traces

description: 1. Core Statement

1.1 This record contains high-resolution raw visual data of a jade object with a human-face form (Form ID: EANJ_FACE_14).

1.2 This dataset serves as the foundational research layer of an ongoing digital documentation initiative for the specimen, providing high-fidelity visual evidence to support morphological analysis, traceology, and materials science–related research.

1.3 The digital documentation of this object forms part of a continuously expanding dataset intended to support future cross-object comparative studies. No comparative or interpretive analysis across specimens is conducted at this stage.

 

2. Access and Use Conditions

2.1 Access Restrictions:For reasons of data security and academic standards, the high-resolution original files of this dataset are set to restricted access.

2.2 Application Requirements:Applicants are required to submit a clear research purpose and institutional affiliation through the Zenodo platform.

2.3 Usage Limitations:This dataset is limited to academic research, visual documentation, and comparative analytical purposes only. Any commercial use, non-academic dissemination, or reproduction beyond academic comparative objectives is strictly prohibited without explicit authorization from the dataset publisher.

 

3. Dataset Composition

3.1 Overall Views:High-resolution images of the front and reverse sides documenting overall proportions and geometric structure.

3.2 Metric Reference:Images including a metric scale for quantitative analysis.Length: 6.9 cmWidth: 5.5 cmThickness: 1.1 cmWeight: 88 g

3.3 Microscopic Evidence:High-magnification macro images documenting perforation morphology, microscopic weathering features, and observable manufacturing traces.

 

4. Object Image Inventory

The high-resolution images included in this dataset are as follows:



Front view: documenting facial morphology and overall proportionsEANJ_FACE_14_FRONT

Reverse view: showing the rear contour morphologyEANJ_FACE_14_REVERSE

Scale reference view: including a metric scale for dimensional referenceEANJ_FACE_14_WITH_SCALE

Front macro view: documenting the morphology of the upper perforationEANJ_FACE_14_MIC_UNIF_UP_FRONT

Reverse macro view: documenting the morphology of the upper perforationEANJ_FACE_14_MIC_REVERSE_UNIF_UP

Reverse macro view: documenting the morphology of surface depressionsEANJ_FACE_14_MIC_SUR_REVERSE_B

Front macro view: documenting the morphology of the lower portionEANJ_FACE_14_MIC_SUR_FRONT_A

Front macro view: documenting the morphology of the upper portionEANJ_FACE_14_MIC_SUR_FRONT_B


 

5. Observed Morphological and Structural Features

5.1 The object presents a vertically elongated, inverted-ovoid, flattened volume. The upper portion is broad and flat, while the lower portion narrows inward and terminates in a rounded arc. The overall structure broadly follows an axial symmetry.

5.2 Facial Features:



Eyes: Represented by two horizontally extended, broad arcuate raised forms with rounded eyelid contours.

Nose: Expressed as a trapezoidal raised feature along the central axis, with a broad and thick nasal ridge transitioning smoothly into the orbital areas.

Mouth: Located below the nasal feature and rendered as a horizontally oriented semi-arched incised line.


5.3 Perforation Features:



Forehead Perforation: A circular through-hole is present at the central axis of the upper portion of the object.

Perforation Morphology: On the frontal side, the perforation appears as a clearly defined circular opening, wider externally and narrowing inward, exhibiting a funnel-like profile. Under magnification, spiral striation patterns are observable on both the obverse and reverse sides.


5.4 Surface Condition and Material Appearance:



Base Coloration: The overall coloration of the object is complex. The right facial area on the front exhibits irregular transitions from dark brown to black, while the left facial area appears relatively lighter, showing transitions from light yellow-brown to dark green, with localized irregular dark brown alteration patches.


5.5 Reverse Features:Apart from the upper perforation, no deliberately formed decorative surface structures are observed on the reverse side. The surface exhibits irregular depressions.

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

 

6. Limitations, Observational Constraints, and Open Questions

6.1 Observational Constraints



Surface Alteration and Tool Trace Obscuration:Dark brown alteration layers cover much of the surface, particularly around the junctions between the eyes and nose, making it difficult under current lighting conditions to fully extract fine traces of surface finishing or polishing.


6.2 Open Questions



Nature of the Dark Brown Surface Material:Whether the widely distributed and variably thick dark surface layer represents secondary alterations resulting from the preservation environment.

Reverse Surface Condition:Whether the irregular depressions on the reverse were present during the manufacturing stage or resulted from later use-related damage, subsequently modified by post-depositional mineralization processes that obscure the original damage features.

Facial Proportional Organization:Whether the facial proportions observed in this specimen correspond to any standardized organizational patterns within comparable objects.

Relationship Between Material Density and Alteration Distribution:Whether the concentration of alteration patches along edges and around the perforation indicates internal mineral anisotropy or specific zones of physical structural weakness.


 

7. Imaging and Processing

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

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

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

7.4 Any post-processing performed was limited to global exposure and white balance adjustments, solely to accurately reflect the visual state of the material.

 

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 due diligence assessments, including evaluations of publication risk, usage boundaries, and alignment with academic standards, to ensure transparency, caution, and procedural soundness.

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