Summary This paper discusses raw materials used in ancient glasses. Following a consideration of some archaeological reasons for studying glass, the discussion concentrates on evidence provided by chemical analysis and focuses glass from later prehistoric Western Europe. Consideration major, minor trace components leads to conclusion that artisans were able closely control addition small quantities colorants, opacifiers clarifiers melt. Some possible ways introducing such these substances...

Includes a complete chemical examination of the causes deterioration glass, discusses possibilities damage by conservation techniques that have not been fully tested, and provides theoretical background practical procedures used in conserving different kinds glass. Contents: introduction; nature glass; historical development technology glass production: methods materials; furnaces melting techniques; materials for conservation; technical archaeological decorative painted window sources...

The chemical analysis of excavated glass fragments from dated archaeological contexts in Raqqa, Syria, has provided a detailed picture the compositions artefacts deriving eighth to ninth and 11th century glassmaking glassworking activities. Evidence for primary production been found at three sites, ninth, 12th dates; first two are discussed here. 2 km long industrial complex al‐Raqqa was associated with an urban landscape consisting Islamic cities (al‐Raqqa al‐Rafika) series palace...

European mixed‐alkali glasses are compared with Sayre and Smith's categorisation for ancient glass the chemical compositions of other prehistoric later glasses. The new categories reported here indicate that a wide range alkali raw materials was used in production found contexts. At least five major now known to have been early Roman Europe. A plant species genus Sulicorniu is suggested as possible source

Twenty-six samples from domestic assemblages of 9th–12th century Córdoba were subjected to electron microprobe analysis. The results reveal two main compositional types. first, encountered in 13 the samples, seems result combination plant ashes with high-impurity sand, and has some contemporary parallels Syria Egypt. second type is a lead–soda–silica glass, relatively high proportion glasses (11 26 sampled), possibly formed by addition lead metal existing very few known parallels. These are...

A knowledge of pyrotechnology - the skills creating and working with high temperatures attested for later prehistoric Europe first by refined ceramics in Neolithic, then copper bronze metallurgy. But what about third aspect – faience, glass other vitreous materials? New work reported this survey shows a place European Bronze Age.

In the present study, 53 glass fragments from core-formed vessels and 3 beads are investigated using SEM/EDX, EPMA LA-ICP-MS. All samples were excavated in Latin settlement of Satricum central west Italy apart two, found so-called fourth–third c. BC Hellenistic Votive deposit, also known as Deposit III, discovered front sanctuary Mater Matuta on top acropolis. The analytical results indicate that is a typical soda-lime-silica type with natron used flux. Its chemical compositions display...

Following a brief history of analytical research into ancient glasses, the emergence early Islamic glasses in Middle East late antiquity is discussed. Data sets for Roman and Byzantine are compared to those period. This rare period technological transition when responses "drying up" traditional mineral alkali source resulted experimentation, which can be demonstrated analytically.

The city of al-Raqqa in north central Syria rivalled early Baghdad scale, and was briefly during the ‘Abbasid caliphate imperial capital an empire stretching from North Africa to Central Asia. Now largely levelled multifaceted Islamic cityscape is revealed by aerial satellite imagery. It at this site that evidence innovative industries has been excavations undertaken Raqqa Ancient Industry project since 1994. Here they discuss production models for glass ceramics their socio-economic contexts.

Abstract Glass – one of the most prestigious materials early Islamic empire was traded not only as vessels and bangles but raw glass blocks. One its materials, plant-ash, also traded. This means that tracking production this precious commodity is especially challenging. The authors show while chemical composition can relate to vessel type, it a combination compositions with strontium neodymium isotope ratios likely lead (a geological) provenance for manufacture. used by glassmakers were...

Abstract This chapter provides insights into Chinese ceramic technologies of both bodies and glazes as well provenance by using isotopes applied to a number case studies. The use Sr investigate high-fired Celadon wares blue-and-white Jingdezhen porcelain (Jiangxi province) has revealed clear distinction associated with the fluxes used in glazes: plant ash celadons limestone glazes, something that is not from major element analysis. Furthermore, technique able suggest implication nature...

Abstract Previous analytical studies show that most of Northern Italian glass has been heavily recycled and mixing natron plant ash was occurring (Verità Toninato 1990; Verità et al. 2002; Uboldi 2003; Andreescu-Treadgold Henderson 2006; Silvestri Marcante 2011). The re-use “old Roman glass” interpreted as stagnation in trade from the primary production areas. However, reintroduction on sites such Torcello, Nogara, Lombardy at same time it reintroduced Levant, strongly indicates...

Ash glaze and limestone are two major types in southern Chinese ceramic technology. In this study strontium isotope compositions were determined ash samples from the Yue kiln dated to between 10th 12th centuries AD, Jingdezhen 15th 18th AD raw materials Jingdezhen. The Sr isotopic characteristics of completely different. is characterised by low concentrations, large 87Sr/86Sr variation, a component mixing line. On other hand characteristic consistent signature high concentrations with...

Glass is one of several early modern industries where the development from small-scale workshop to large-scale industry offers a valuable insight into wider socio-economic trends. Previously, medieval and forest (wood ash) glass has been studied using range analytical techniques. However, characterisations production centres exchange systems for glasses are difficult verify, in part because very few examples raw furnace sites have investigated. Compositional analysis can provide evidence...