The mirrors of ancient Egypt have been the subject of great attention for their cultural importance and their connection to religious beliefs. However, their manufacturing process has not been thoroughly investigated, and only a few have been included in broader analyses. How were these mirrors made?
Now, recent research published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports on the manufacturing of mirrors in Ancient Egypt reveals fascinating details about the metallurgical techniques employed by ancient Egyptian craftsmen.
The study, conducted by Elizabeth Thomas from the University of Liverpool, focused on the metallurgical analysis of nineteen Egyptian mirrors from various museum collections in the United Kingdom, covering a broad chronological period from the Old Kingdom to the Late Period.
Using advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), the researcher was able to closely examine the chemical composition and microstructure of these ancient artifacts, uncovering the secrets of their manufacturing that have remained hidden for millennia.
The analysis results revealed that the ancient Egyptians primarily used three types of alloys in the production of mirrors: arsenical copper, a copper-tin alloy, and a ternary alloy of arsenical copper with tin.
Surprisingly, a notable consistency in the composition of these alloys was discovered, with an average of about 5% arsenic or tin in most of the analyzed mirrors, suggesting a high degree of control and standardization in the manufacturing process.
This consistency in composition not only demonstrates the technical skill of the ancient Egyptian metallurgists but also raises intriguing questions about the reasons behind this specific choice of alloy.
The researcher proposes that this particular composition might have been selected for its optimal physical properties, such as hardness and malleability, as well as for the resulting metal color, which would have produced a golden or silver tone in the finished mirror.
One of the most interesting findings of the study is the evidence of a technique known as surface enrichment, observed in several of the analyzed mirrors. This technique, which involved creating an arsenic-rich surface layer, would have given the mirrors a silver appearance, potentially imitating the look of much more valuable silver mirrors.
The researcher suggests that this surface enrichment was likely achieved through a process known as inverse segregation, a sophisticated technique that required a deep understanding of the metallurgical properties of arsenical copper.
The choice of alloys that produced golden or silver reflections might be related to Egyptian religious beliefs, particularly with the association of mirrors with the sun god Ra.
Microscopic examination of the mirrors also revealed evidence of a highly standardized manufacturing process involving repeated cycles of cold hammering and annealing. This technique would have increased the metal’s hardness, allowing for better polishing and, consequently, clearer reflection. The consistency of this manufacturing process across different historical periods and geographic locations within Egypt suggests a well-established and widely disseminated craft tradition.
The research also shed light on the making of model mirrors, miniature versions meant to be deposited in tombs as magical substitutes for real mirrors. Surprisingly, these models were made using the same process as full-sized mirrors, although with some variations in composition that might reflect their purely symbolic function.
SOURCES
Elizabeth Thomas, Shining light on Egyptian mirrors: New scientific research into their metallurgy. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Volume 58, October 2024, 104744. doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104744
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