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(xué)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(diǎn)提供了佐證，即最早的錢幣不是像人們長期以來所認(rèn)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(yùn)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。