河南發(fā)現(xiàn)世界最古老造幣廠

Archaeologists excavating the remains of Guanzhuang - an ancient city in Central China's Henan province - have discovered what they believe is the oldest-known coin mint, where miniature, shovel-shaped bronze coins were mass produced some 2,600 years ago.

考古學家在挖掘中國河南省古城官莊遺址時發(fā)現(xiàn)了目前世界已知的最古老的鑄幣工坊，那里曾在約2600年前大量鑄造小型鏟形銅幣。

Their research, published in the journal Antiquity, gives weight to the idea that the first coins were minted not in Turkey or Greece, as long thought, but in China.

他們的研究為這樣一種觀點提供了佐證，即最早的錢幣不是像人們長期以來所認為的那樣在土耳其或希臘鑄造，而是在中國鑄造。這一研究成果已在《古物》雜志上發(fā)表。

Using radiocarbon dating, the team determined the mint began operating sometime between 640 BC and no later than 550 BC.

利用放射性碳定年法，研究小組確定鑄幣工坊在公元前640年至公元前550年之間的某個時間開始運作。

During their excavation, the researchers found two spade coins and dozens of clay molds used to cast them.

在挖掘過程中，研究人員發(fā)現(xiàn)了兩枚鏟幣和用于鑄造這些錢幣的數(shù)十枚陶范。

One coin was in near-perfect condition: Just shy of 6 inches long and about 2.5 inches wide, the bronze coin weighed about 27 grams.

其中一枚錢幣的品相近乎完美：長度不到6英寸(約合15厘米)，寬度約2.5英寸，重約27克。