Comprehensive Studies of Sarmatian Pendant Mirrors

Abstract

The elemental composition and manufacturing technology of the so-called Sarmatian-type mirrors have been studied. The investigated mirrors are random finds, originating from the territory of the Kerch peninsula. All three objects are pendant mirrors with a radial-beam ornament that appeared at the turn of the 1st and 2nd centuries AD; they were in use until the beginning of the 3rd century AD. According to the results of X-ray fluorescence analysis, the mirrors were made of a material with identical qualitative characteristics: an alloy of copper, tin, and lead. X-ray tomography clarified the details of the relief ornament, which is weakly pronounced on the products due to corrosion processes.