【Haichuan Chemical Industry Site】Mijiangxia Nitrate Caves Site in Fengjie, Chongqing
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Nitrate (KNO3), also known as gunpowder nitrate or simply nitrate, is potassium nitrate – the main component used in the production of one of the four great inventions of ancient China. The Chinese were aware of nitrate quite early on; during the Han Dynasty, it was known as a medicinal substance. The Shennong Bencao Jing states: “Xiaoshi has a bitter taste.” Removes heat accumulation from the five major internal organs, relieves stomach distension and blockage, clears out accumulated food and waste, promotes renewal, and eliminates pathogenic factors. Refined like ointment, long-term use lightens the body. ”According to the historical records from the Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, the adventurous Taoist priests of that time gained a deeper understanding of the properties of nitrate. They were able to distinguish between potassium nitrate and potassium sulfate, which laid the groundwork for the invention of **. The original **formula appeared in the book \"Lead, Mercury, and the Precious Treasures from Jiachen\" written by Qingxu Zi in the third year of Yuanhe during the reign of Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Dynasty (808 AD). He recorded the \"Fuhuo Fan method,\" which enabled the production of the original \"Fuhuo sulfur,\" namely a mixture of nitrate, sulfur, and aristolochia.
\"Tian Gong Kai Wu: Excellent Weapons, Chapter 16\" states: \"There are three main types of nitre. That produced in Sichuan is called Chuan nitre; that produced in Shanxi is commonly known as Salt nitre, while that produced in Shandong is commonly called Earth nitre.\" ”Sichuan nitrate once played an important role in the advancement of **technology, yet today we know very little about it. However, with the development of the outdoor adventure industry in recent years, some mysterious karst caves hidden deep in the mountains and forests, isolated from the outside world, have been gradually discovered and reported on. In the Three Gorges area and the southeast of Chongqing, explorers have discovered many industrial remnants from ancient times, left behind as a result of processing and smelting, within these incredibly beautiful caves. For a time, various theories regarding these ruins abounded, with no consensus reached. Fengjie County in Chongqing is located in the heart of the Yangtze River Gorges. It is bordered by Wushan County to the east, Enshi Prefecture in Hubei Province to the south, Yunyang County to the west, and Wuxi County to the north. The Yangtze River runs through the central part of the region, with numerous streams crisscrossing it and rolling mountains in the area. It is famous throughout the world for the majestic Kuimen Pass and the deep waters of Qutang Gorge; as the saying goes, \"Even with all the finest writing brushes in the world, it would be impossible to depict the mountains on both sides of Qutang Gorge.\" The unique terrain and landforms of Fengjie have shaped the connection between us. A giant karst cave was discovered in Zhititang Village, Xinglong Town, 40 kilometers away from Fengjie County town. It is isolated from the rest of the world, and everything here seems to have nothing to do with human activities. Yet who would have thought that within these treacherous and difficult-to-reach caves, well-preserved ancient nitre-making sites still exist to this day.