Circulation of bronze mirrors between China and Japan during the Western Han dynasty: A scientific analysis on bronze mirrors excavated in Linzi city

IF 1.5 2区历史学 0 ARCHAEOLOGY

Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports Pub Date : 2025-09-11 DOI:10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105393

Jun Gao , Xiang Wang , Jinxuan Li , Chenghao Li , Xintian Zhang , Wenbin Dong , Quanyu Wang

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Abstract

Bronze mirrors of the Western Han dynasty (202 BCE-8 CE) present in Eurasia are strong evidence for far-reaching trade and exchange networks. However, more evidence is still needed on the provenance and circulation form of the mirrors. In this study, a scientific analysis including metallography, chemical composition, and lead isotope ratios was carried out on 35 mirrors excavated from the Xiangjianan cemetery near the capital of state Qi in Linzi city, China, which is the only archaeologically confirmed centre for mirror production found so far. By incorporating previous research, this study uses the lead isotope ratios to establish the characteristics of Linzi mirrors from different periods, and provides a preliminary discussion on the provenance of those mirrors with the highly radiogenic lead found in Shandong province. The study suggests that most of the imported mirrors of the Western Han dynasty unearthed in Japan may have been produced in Linzi city, and the highly radiogenic lead in mirrors found in Linzi city during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE) and the Western Han dynasty may have been sourced from the local Luxi metallogenic province. This study provides new solid evidence for the cross-regional circulation of bronze mirrors during the Western Han dynasty.

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西汉时期中日铜镜的流通——临淄市出土铜镜的科学分析

欧亚大陆现存的西汉铜镜（公元前202年-公元8年）是深远的贸易和交流网络的有力证据。然而，关于镜子的来源和流通形式，还需要更多的证据。在这项研究中，对从中国临淄市齐国首都附近的湘家南墓地出土的35面镜子进行了包括金相、化学成分和铅同位素比率在内的科学分析，这是迄今为止发现的唯一经考古证实的镜子生产中心。在综合前人研究成果的基础上，利用铅同位素比值建立了山东临淄地区不同时期铅镜的特征，并对山东发现的高放射性成因铅镜的物源进行了初步探讨。研究认为，日本出土的大部分西汉进口镜可能产自临淄市，而在临淄市发现的战国时期（475-221 bc）和西汉时期的镜子中所含的高放射性成因铅可能来源于当地的鲁西成矿省。这一研究为西汉时期铜镜的跨区域流通提供了新的确凿证据。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Archaeological Science-Reports ARCHAEOLOGY-

CiteScore

3.10

自引率

12.50%

发文量

405

期刊介绍： Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports is aimed at archaeologists and scientists engaged with the application of scientific techniques and methodologies to all areas of archaeology. The journal focuses on the results of the application of scientific methods to archaeological problems and debates. It will provide a forum for reviews and scientific debate of issues in scientific archaeology and their impact in the wider subject. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports will publish papers of excellent archaeological science, with regional or wider interest. This will include case studies, reviews and short papers where an established scientific technique sheds light on archaeological questions and debates.