Colourless Roman glass from the Zadar necropolis: An exploratory approach. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coutinho, I.; Medici, T.; Alves, L.C.; Perović, Š.
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 15(2017)
• Page Start: 194
• Page End: 202
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Roman Glass -- Croatia -- Colourless -- μ-PIXE -- Primary glass sources -- Recycling; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.07.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: This paper presents the study of eighteen samples of colourless glass dated to the Roman period (1st to 3rd centuries C.E.) and that were unearthed in Zadar, Croatia. In this exploratory research, the chemical composition of the glass, which was determined by μ-PIXE, was divided into two main groups based on the alkali and alkali-earth contents: glass with low CaO and Al2 O3, and high Na2 O contents (Group 1), and glass with high CaO, Al2 O3, and low Na2 O contents (Group 2). The chemical composition from Group 1 is related to polygonal bottles and the composition from Group 2 to bell-shaped bottles, the latter being considered of local provenance. The analysis of MnO, Sb2 O5 and Al2 O3 contents and ratios suggests that only three samples from Group 1 were obtained from a primary glass source discoloured with Sb and the remaining fragments are the result of recycling activities, whereas all fragments from Group 2 were made using a different primary glass source discoloured with Mn. Finally, considering all the compositional characteristics of the analysed glass, it is proposed that the primary glass source of Group 1 was Egypt, and that glass from Group 2 came from the Levant region. Highlights: Colourless glass from Zadar dated to the Roman period (1st to 3rd centuries). Samples were divided into two main groups based on the alkali and alkali-earth contents. Egyptian and Levantine primary glass sources identified for each group Majority of glass samples made from primary glass sources Shape identified as probable local production.