The impact of glassblowing on the Early-Roman glass industry (circa 50 B.C. â A.D. 79)
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ancient glass was frequently treated as though it was a prestigious product, owned only by the elites of society. Research was primarily art-historical, and focused on select museum pieces. As archaeology developed, it became clear that glass vessels were used at many, if not most, Roman sites, from the late first century B.C. onward, and in many different social contexts, contradicting the idea that only the rich could afford them. Scholars began to explain the increased prevalence of glass by arguing that the invention of glassblowing (circa 50 B.C.) had increased production speed while lowering production costs, making glass vessels cheap and widely available across the social spectrum This thesis explores the role of blown glass by comparing the percentages and forms produced by older casting techniques in glass vessel assemblages from military sites, civilian sites, frontier settlements, and settings at the heart of the Roman world. It seeks to understand the social and economic status of blown glass and cast glass: why did cast glass persist after the invention of cheaper blown glass? Was cast and blown glass equally accessible to different levels of society?
Prior, Jonathan David
The impact of glassblowing on the Early-Roman glass industry (circa 50 B.C. â A.D. 79). In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ancient glass was frequently treated as though it was a prestigious product, owned only by the elites of society. Research was primarily art-historical, and focused on select museum pieces. As archaeology developed, it became clear that glass vessels were used at many, if not most, Roman sites, from the late first century B.C. onward, and in many different social contexts, contradicting the idea that only the rich could afford them. Scholars began to explain the increased prevalence of glass by arguing that the invention of glassblowing (circa 50 B.C.) had increased production speed while lowering production costs, making glass vessels cheap and widely available across the social spectrum This thesis explores the role of blown glass by comparing the percentages and forms produced by older casting techniques in glass vessel assemblages from military sites, civilian sites, frontier settlements, and settings at the heart of the Roman world. It seeks to understand the social and economic status of blown glass and cast glass: why did cast glass persist after the invention of cheaper blown glass? Was cast and blown glass equally accessible to different levels of society?
impact early_roman glass_industry circa ancient glass frequently treat though prestigious product own elite_society primarily art_historical focused select museum piece archaeology develop become_clear glass_vessel use many roman sit onward many_different social_context contradict idea rich could afford them scholars begin explain increased prevalence glass argue invention circa increase_production speed lower production cost make glass_vessel cheap widely available across social spectrum explores_role blown glass comparing percentage form produce old cast technique glass_vessel assemblage military_site civilian site frontier settlement setting heart roman_world seek social_economic status blow glass cast glass cast glass persist invention cheap blown glass cast blown glass equally accessible different_level society