• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.39
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• pp.281-314
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• 2006

Several explanations exist about the usage of disk-shaped bronze implements in the ancient society. Some argue that they were used as mirrors, others suggest percussion instruments, and still others bronze ornaments. Differences between disk-shaped bronze implements and mirrors with multiple knobs are that the former have no visible design, only one handle, and a sharp curvature unlike the latter with smooth curvature. The question is whether disk-shaped bronze implements excavated from Korean peninsula have any light reflecting function. To answer this question, I carefully studied the concave surfaces of disk-shaped bronze implements excavated from Goejeong-dong, Tongso-ri and Hapsong-ri sites. The main findings are as follows: (1) The concave sides of the disk-shaped bronze implements excavated from Goejeong-dong and Tongso-ri sites were highly polished, and they were as reflective as bronze mirrors. (2) The concave side of the disk-shaped bronze implement from Hapsong-ri site was unpolished, and it was different from bronze mirrors. (3) As for the convex sides of the disk-shaped bronze implements, they did not appear to have been polished with care. Considering the above findings, the disk-shaped bronze implements excavated from Goejeong-dong and Tongso-ri sites belong to the stage where they could act as both mirrors and instruments. On the contrary, the disk-shaped bronze implement from Hapsong-ri site can belong to the stage where it lost the function of being a mirror as the result of maintaining only its function as an instrument. Even though disk-shaped implements had two functions, it can be considered that the light reflecting function expanded the role of a mirror with multiple knobs and the sound function helped the engraved round bronze implement to be converted into an eight-armed bronze rattle. Since it has been reported that shamans used bronze mirrors as percussion instruments in their performances in Korean peninsula and Siberia, I propose a reconsideration of the usage of mirrors in the ancient East Asia. Although the essential function of a mirror is to reflect light, other possible usages involving important functions need to be further investigated.