Study of Go stones unearthed from the tomb of Fan Xiaocun of the Northern Song Dynasty

While Go embodies the profound cultural heritage of the Chinese nation, archaeological research on it remains limited, particularly concerning Go-related cultural artifacts. We employed a suite of analytical techniques—including high-depth-of-field 3D optical microscopy (OM), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and confocal Raman microscopy—to examine three Go stones unearthed from the tomb of Fan Xiaocun (Northern Song Dynasty, 960–1127 CE). The analysis revealed distinct material and manufacturing characteristics: The white stone was crafted from shell material; The black stone, a carburized ceramic piece, was fired below 950°C; The patterned stone, also ceramic, featured sunken relief carving and required firing temperatures exceeding 1,200°C. This study provides valuable references for research on Go history, Chinese sports/entertainment artifacts, and board game culture, while offering methodological insights for future investigations.