The Production and Circulation of Carthaginian Glass Under the Rule of the Romans and the Vandals (Fourth to Sixth Century ad): A Chemical Investigation. (15th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Siu, l.; Henderson, J.; Faber, E.
• Is Part Of: Archaeometry. Volume 59:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 255
• Page End: 273
• Publication Date: 2016-07-15
• Subjects: late Roman glass -- natron -- HIMT -- Levantine I -- electron microprobe -- Carthage; Archaeometry -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Expertising -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1111/arcm.12252
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-813X

Abstract

Abstract : Fifty‐seven glass samples from Carthage dating to the fourth to sixth centuryad were analysed using the electron microprobe. The results show that these samples are all soda–lime–silica glass. Their MgO and K2 O values, which are below 1.5%, suggest that they were made from natron, a flux that was widely used during the Roman period. The major and minor elements show that these samples can be divided into four groups, three of which correspond to the late Roman period glass groups that were found throughout the Roman Empire: Levantine I, and 'weak' and 'strong' HIMT. Of particular interest is our Group 2, which is technologically and compositionally similar to HIMT glass and the CaO and Al2 O3 values of which are similar to those of Levantine I. Glass of similar composition has been reported by several authors and is predominantly found dating from the late fifth to seventh century. This could represent a 'new' glass group; therefore further study is needed to determine its origin. Also, this study suggests that the Vandal invasion in North Africa did not disrupt the glass trade between Carthage and the Levantine coast.