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

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.