悬案于今四十年——宜兴晋周处墓铝质残片来历的分说

１９５３年发现、１９５７年首次检测的宜兴周处墓铝质残片，曾被认定是西晋人工炼铝的制品。由此，引发了公元３世纪能否炼制金属铝以及残片确系晋代遗物还是后世混入物的讨论。该文通过调查，对铝质残片的发现、检测、质疑和存疑作了分说，就天然铝的发现和火法炼铝的当代工业试验作了陈述。附录Ａ介绍了宜兴溪隐村下龙潭铝铜合金有孔圆片的出现和初步检测结果；附录Ｂ为李学勤先生对同地出土的铜镜所作的年代鉴定。作者认为周处墓铝质残片的来历及其年代迄今尚无定论，悬案有待勘破，学界仍须努力。最终结果究竟如何，并不是最重要的。弘扬科学精神，拓展科学实践，不懈地探求真知，才是为学的根本。提倡思想自由，学术独立和宽容精神，才会有真正的学术繁荣

AN UNSETTLED QUESTION FOR 40 YEARS: CONCERNING THE ORIGIN OF THE ALUMINUM SCRAPS FROM THE TOMB OF ZHOU CHU OF THE JIN DYNASTY UNEARTHED IN YIXING

The aluminum scraps found from the tomb of Zhou Chu in Yixing in 1953 and first inspected in 1957 were once maintained to be the products of artificial aluminum smelting in the Western Jin Dynasty,thus leading to the discussion of whether metalic aluminum could be smelted in the 3rd century and whether the scraps were definitely relics of the Jin Dynasty or infiltrates of later ages.This paper,through investigation,makes a discussion on the discovery,inspection,doubts and questions regarding the aluminum scraps,puts forth a statement on the discovery of natural aluminum and on the modern pilot test for pyro aluminum,and briefs in the appendix the adrent and preliminary result of inspection of the aluminum copper alloy scraps in round shape with a hole found at Xialongtan,Xiyin County,Yixing.The author holds that no final conclusion has yet been reached about the origin and date of the aluminum scraps from the tomb of Zhou Chu,that the question remains to be solved,and that further efforts from academic circles are needed.The final conclusion is not of the umost importance.What really matters for academic pursuits is to carry forward the spirit of science,extend scientific practice and seek genuine knowledge unremittingly.Science can only be flourished by encouraging freedom of thought,independence of learning and the spirit of tolerance.