DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18679131
title: East Asian Prehistoric Human-Face Jade Form 09 (EANJ_FACE_09):
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 with a human-face form (Form ID: EANJ_FACE_09).

1.2 As a foundational scientific component of the digital archiving initiative for this specimen, this dataset provides high-fidelity visual evidence intended to support morphological analysis, traceological studies, and materials science 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 Restrictions: For 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 Requirements: Applicants are required to submit a clearly defined research purpose and institutional affiliation via the Zenodo platform.

2.3 Use Limitations: This dataset is intended exclusively for academic research, visual documentation, and comparative analysis. Without explicit authorization from the dataset publisher, any commercial use, non-academic dissemination, or reproduction beyond academic comparative purposes is strictly prohibited.


 

3. Dataset Composition



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

3.2 Measurement Reference: Images including a metric scale for quantitative reference.



Length: 6.0 cm

Width: 4.7 cm

Thickness: 0.9 cm

Weight: 39 g


3.3 Microscopic Evidence: High-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:



EANJ_FACE_09_FRONT: Front view documenting facial morphology and overall proportions.

EANJ_FACE_09_REVERSE: Reverse view documenting rear contour morphology.

EANJ_FACE_09_WITH_SCALE: Scaled view including metric scale for dimensional reference.

EANJ_FACE_09_MIC_FRONT_UNIF_UP: Front macro view of the top perforation morphology.

EANJ_FACE_09_MIC_FRONT_UNIF_DWON: Front macro view of the bottom perforation morphology.

EANJ_FACE_09_MIC_FRONT_UNIF_R: Front macro view of the right eye perforation morphology.

EANJ_FACE_09_MIC_FRONT_UNIF_L: Front macro view of the left eye perforation morphology.

EANJ_FACE_09_MIC_REVERSE_UNIF: Reverse macro view documenting rear surface texture.


 

5. Observed Morphological and Structural Features



5.1 The overall volume is an ovoid, flattened form, with the vertical dimension slightly exceeding the horizontal. The edges exhibit continuous and uniform denticulate or wave-like carved processing, and the layout demonstrates high axial symmetry.

5.2 Eye Features: The eyes are expressed by two symmetrical circular perforations. The perforation walls exhibit a funnel-like contraction from the surface inward, with distinct dark-brown residues adhering to the interior walls.

5.3 Mouth Features: The mouth is represented by a wide, elliptical transverse perforation. Its perimeter features a recessed area created via a material-reduction technique (jian-di), producing a pronounced stepped transition relative to the rest of the facial plane.

5.4 Forehead Features: A smaller circular perforation is located directly at the top of the forehead area. Symmetrical, oblique, radial incised lines extend from both sides of the central axis in this region.

5.5 Central Axis Features: The nasal bridge region is divided by a shallow vertical incised line connecting the forehead perforation to the mouth area, serving as the symmetry axis for the entire object.

5.6 Surface Condition: The substrate of the object appears white, but the surface is extensively and densely covered by yellowish-brown patch-like staining (qin-ban). Staining on the front is fragmented and accompanied by erosion pits, while staining on the reverse appears as more regular circular dots or clusters, with a smoother and more even surface.

5.7 Reverse Features: The reverse surface is finely polished and preserves the exit points of the perforations corresponding to the front. Apart from the staining, no artificial decorative elements or modeled features are observed.

5.8 All descriptions above are strictly based on features directly observable in the imagery 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



Sediment Coverage: Thick brown residues adhering to the interior of the perforations (especially the eyes) obstruct the comprehensive extraction of micro-traces such as original drilling spirals.

Staining Interference: The dense yellowish-brown staining alters the original reflective properties of the material surface, potentially obscuring minute wear or polishing marks.


6.2 Open Questions



Cultural Positioning of Ornamentation and Edges: The typological significance of the combination of radial forehead lines and wave-like denticulate edges within the sequence of early East Asian jade forms.

Differential Erosion Mechanisms: Whether the phenomenon of deeper, denser erosion pits on the front versus a smoother reverse suggests a specific orientation or contact with different substances in the original enclosed burial environment.

Origins of Staining: The formation conditions and physicochemical mechanisms behind the regular clustered staining on the reverse versus the fragmented staining on the front.

Functional Logic of Perforations: The potential relationship between the small top hole and the three larger holes below in terms of suspension or attachment methods.



 

7. Imaging and Processing



7.1 All 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.

7.2 Photography 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 imaging.

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


 

8. Compliance and Due Diligence



8.1 The compilation and release of this dataset follow 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 standards to ensure transparency, prudence, and procedural integrity.

8.3 This 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.