An investigation into technological change and organisational developments in glass production between the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods (7th-12th centuries) focussing on evidence from Israel
Roman-Byzantine Palestine was a major producer of glass, and while Arab Conquest of the mid-7th century had no initial effect on glass production, around the 9th-10th century a critical technological change occurred with a shift to plant ash flux. This thesis answers several unresolved questions regarding the chronology, reasons for change and origins of the technology. Around 300 glass samples taken from 7th-13th century vessels were analysed by LA-ICP-MS. Vessels were well-contextualised of mainly diagnostic types and sourced from 19 excavated consumption sites across Israel. Four natron and four plant ash groups were identified. Vessel chronology suggested a decline in Palestinian production during the 8th century as evidenced by the appearance of low-soda recipes produced at Bet Eliâezer, the import of Egypt II glass, and an influx of plant ash glass. Palestinian glass production appears to discontinue by the 9th century, followed by Egyptian production 50-100 years later. Investigation of the potential reasons for the shift to plant ash glass dismissed political instability and climatic change. Instead economic factors were highlighted, such as long-term pressures on natron supply due to competition
Phelps, M. R. O.
An investigation into technological change and organisational developments in glass production between the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods (7th-12th centuries) focussing on evidence from Israel. Roman-Byzantine Palestine was a major producer of glass, and while Arab Conquest of the mid-7th century had no initial effect on glass production, around the 9th-10th century a critical technological change occurred with a shift to plant ash flux. This thesis answers several unresolved questions regarding the chronology, reasons for change and origins of the technology. Around 300 glass samples taken from 7th-13th century vessels were analysed by LA-ICP-MS. Vessels were well-contextualised of mainly diagnostic types and sourced from 19 excavated consumption sites across Israel. Four natron and four plant ash groups were identified. Vessel chronology suggested a decline in Palestinian production during the 8th century as evidenced by the appearance of low-soda recipes produced at Bet Eliâezer, the import of Egypt II glass, and an influx of plant ash glass. Palestinian glass production appears to discontinue by the 9th century, followed by Egyptian production 50-100 years later. Investigation of the potential reasons for the shift to plant ash glass dismissed political instability and climatic change. Instead economic factors were highlighted, such as long-term pressures on natron supply due to competition
investigation technological_change organisational development glass_production byzantine early islamic_period focus evidence israel roman_byzantine palestine major producer glass arab_conquest mid century initial effect glass_production critical technological_change occur shift plant ash flux answer several unresolved question_regard chronology reason change origins technology glass sample_take vessel analyse la_icp vessels well contextualised mainly diagnostic type source excavated consumption site_across israel natron plant ash group identify vessel chronology suggest decline palestinian production evidence appearance low soda recipe produce import egypt glass influx plant ash glass palestinian glass_production appear follow egyptian production investigation potential reason shift plant ash glass dismiss political_instability climatic change instead economic_factor highlight long_term pressure natron supply due competition