Abstract: Metal smelting and casting technology and craft had been an important support for thousands of years of agricultural society in China. There are rich historical materials of metallurgical culture in ancient literary sketches. The protagonists of these historical materials were plants, animals, and the living creatures of metal and metal objects. From the perspective of practical technology and experience, there were plant exploration, animal exploration, and the method that abstracted metal from plants; From the perspective of taboo culture, there were records of abnormal phenomena such as the growth of plants in metal products that indicate disasters; From the perspective of fantasy, some metal objects could find their “master” and treat good people kindly, which reflect the ethical and moral values of agricultural society; The description of some swords with surreal capabilities such as early warning and self defeating enemies, to some extent were ancient worship of metal and metal objects. The display and selective analysis of such records, as well as the exploration on certain viewpoints and ideological foundations of ancient people, are an effective academic window for looking back on the ancient world.

Key Words: Metallurgical culture; Literary sketches; Living creature

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