河南发现世界最古老造币厂

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.

考古学家在挖掘中国河南省古城官庄遗址时发现了目前世界已知的最古老的铸币工坊，那里曾在约2600年前大量铸造小型铲形铜币。

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.

他们的研究为这样一种观点提供了佐证，即最早的钱币不是像人们长期以来所认为的那样在土耳其或希腊铸造，而是在中国铸造。这一研究成果已在《古物》杂志上发表。

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，研究小组确定铸币工坊在公元前640年至公元前550年之间的某个时间开始运作。

During their excavation, the researchers found two spade coins and dozens of clay molds used to cast them.

在挖掘过程中，研究人员发现了两枚铲币和用于铸造这些钱币的数十枚陶范。

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.

其中一枚钱币的品相近乎完美：长度不到6英寸(约合15厘米)，宽度约2.5英寸，重约27克。