A Study on the Microstructure and Corrosion Characteristics of Early Iron Age Bronze Mirrors Excavated from the Korean Peninsula

Bronze mirrors, considered important grave goods, were widely used before glass mirrors in ancient times. Most excavated bronze artifacts are covered with corrosive materials and lose their original colors. More importantly, identifying corrosion characteristics the manufacturing techniques for these essential proper artifact preservation. In this study, Early Iron Age from Korean Peninsula examined to determine microstructures, characteristics, production using various analytical methods, such as Micro-Raman spectroscopy field emission electron probe microanalysis. As a result, sulfides containing iron suggested chalcopyrite use during or that originated copper, iron, sulfur residual matte. The analysis also detected layers high tin oxide (SnO2) levels selective α + δ eutectoid phase on artifact’s surface. layer, cuprite, malachite, cassiterite products detected, nanocrystalline SnO2 was identified characteristic of long-term soil erosion. Identifying artifacts’ is can greatly contribute