[The processing tools 'diao', 'yan' and 'ding' in The Fifty-Two Prescriptions for Diseases and the bronze artifacts with inscriptions from the unearthed Han Tombs]

Tools have to be used to process herbs and drugs in traditional Chinese medicine. Many of them were described in The Fifty-Two Prescriptions for Diseases. However, these tools still appear controversial today. This paper examined three metal tools 'Diao'(), 'Yan'() and 'Ding'() in The Fifty-Two Prescriptions for Diseases, in order to clarify the nature of the metal tools for processing from the unearthed Han Dynasty Tombs. It was found that the 'Diao'() in the Han Dynasty was not copper ware with a handle, but a tool with an open curved bottom. The 'Yan' () in the Han Dynasty was not a three-legged device with a top container, but a combination of a kettle, a caldron and a pot. The 'Ding'() in the Han Dynasty was a container normally with a lid, a round belly and an ellipsoidal shaped dome, which helped enhance gas pressure in cooking. The results of this study provide a reference to understand the characteristics of three metal tools used in processing herbs and drugs in The Fifty-Two Prescriptions for Diseases at that time.