A scientific and archaeological investigation of prehistoric glasses from Italy
Ancient glasses are invariably complex materials, in which the specific chemical composition and microstructure capture aspects of their technologies. The chemical characterisation of glasses in specific archaeological contexts has given useful insight into the peculiarities of diverse glass-making technologies. In addition such studies generate more general information upon an important range of phenomenon, including the pyrotechnological milieu, empirical knowledge of sophisticated chemistry, organisation of production, access to significant raw materials and long-distance trade. This study examines a wide selection of glass artefacts recovered from archaeological contexts in Northern and Central Italy from approximately 1200 BC to 200 BC. The earliest material is from the Final Bronze Age, and extends the characterisation of an established glass type, which is unique to Europe and distinct from the contemporary technologies of the Eastern Mediterranean. Using a combination of X-ray fluorescence analysis, electron microprobe and scanning electron microscopy glass artefacts from a thousand-year period from the same region are investigated. The shifting technologies permit the discussion of localised production
Towle, Andrew C.
NK Decorative arts. Applied arts. Decoration and ornament
A scientific and archaeological investigation of prehistoric glasses from Italy. Ancient glasses are invariably complex materials, in which the specific chemical composition and microstructure capture aspects of their technologies. The chemical characterisation of glasses in specific archaeological contexts has given useful insight into the peculiarities of diverse glass-making technologies. In addition such studies generate more general information upon an important range of phenomenon, including the pyrotechnological milieu, empirical knowledge of sophisticated chemistry, organisation of production, access to significant raw materials and long-distance trade. This study examines a wide selection of glass artefacts recovered from archaeological contexts in Northern and Central Italy from approximately 1200 BC to 200 BC. The earliest material is from the Final Bronze Age, and extends the characterisation of an established glass type, which is unique to Europe and distinct from the contemporary technologies of the Eastern Mediterranean. Using a combination of X-ray fluorescence analysis, electron microprobe and scanning electron microscopy glass artefacts from a thousand-year period from the same region are investigated. The shifting technologies permit the discussion of localised production
scientific archaeological_investigation prehistoric glass italy ancient glass invariably complex material specific chemical_composition microstructure capture aspects technology chemical characterisation glass specific archaeological_context give useful insight peculiarity diverse glass_making technology addition study generate general information upon important range phenomenon include milieu empirical_knowledge sophisticated chemistry organisation_production access significant raw_material long_distance_trade study_examines wide selection glass artefact recover archaeological_context northern central_italy approximately early material final bronze_age extend characterisation establish glass type unique europe distinct contemporary technology eastern_mediterranean using_combination x_ray_fluorescence analysis electron microprobe scan_electron_microscopy glass artefacts thousand year_period region investigate shift technology permit discussion localise production