An archaeometric study of Archaic glass from Rhodes, Greece: Technological and provenance issues

Abstract

In the present study, a set of 86 beads, of various colours, dating to the Archaic period (640–600 BCE) and excavated on Rhodes island, Greece is investigated using a range of analytical techniques such as SEM/EDX, mXRF and LA-ICP-MS. The role of Rhodes in ancient glassmaking is undoubtful and has been attested by various scholars. Its favourable geographical position being a node between mainland Greece and Asia Minor, Cyprus and consequently the Levantine coast and Middle East enhanced its trading activities and its cultural influences.The main aim of this study is to shed light to the technological features of Archaic glass and in a second stage and through the comparison with already published analytical data of coeval, earlier and later glass samples, to investigate thoroughly the provenance of the Rhodian assemblage.The scientific data demonstrates that there is no continuity in the technology used for the Archaic glass and glass of the subsequent centuries in Rhodes in terms of the basic glass composition. It seems that the technology shifts both in terms of the silica raw materials towards other possible sources and in alkali raw material towards the use of a mineral source rather than plant ash.Relating to the provenance of the Archaic beads, both major-minor and trace elements analysis show that there are strong indications for a Mesopotamian origin. As it is demonstrated in various biplots there is higher correlation between the majority of Archaic samples from Rhodes with samples from Mesopotamia.