Chinese researchers analyze 2,000-year-old Han Dynasty bronze mirrors

Chinese researchers have analyzed 71 bronze mirrors dating back over 2,000 years to uncover metallurgical secrets of the Han Dynasty. Using portable X-ray fluorescence, the team studied mirrors excavated from the Xiangjianan and Yafubei cemeteries near Linzi.

The study, published in the journal Heritage, reveals that the alloy composition of these mirrors closely aligns with the Kaogong ji, an ancient manual of craftsmanship. The mirrors showed a geometric median of 68.61% copper, 25.23% tin, and 6.15% lead, matching classical recipes.

Because most of these mirrors belonged to common people rather than the elite, they serve as a reliable indicator of local production and consumption. The chemical profiles suggest a shift in state control: while mirrors from the Warring States period showed varied chemical signatures from different mines, nearly 90% of Han Dynasty mirrors shared a nearly identical chemical profile, indicating centralized management of mineral resources.