Shining light on Egyptian mirrors: New scientific research into their metallurgy

• Minimally destructive sampling and analytical methodology provide both chemical and microstructural data for metal mirrors. • The manufacturing process of Egyptian mirrors was consistent over time. • Surface enrichment: preliminary evidence on how it was produced. Ancient Egyptian mirrors have received a great deal of attention for their cultural significance and connections to religious beliefs. However, in-depth investigations into their manufacture have been lacking with only a handful included in wider analyses. So how were mirrors manufactured? The preliminary metallurgical analysis presented here aims to shed light on this. With the use of SEM-EDX, analyses of Egyptian mirrors from a range of UK museum collections, spanning from the Old Kingdom through to the Late Period, have revealed the chemical composition and microstructure of the metal.