Abstract
In the present study, 53 glass fragments from core-formed vessels and 3 glass beads are investigated using SEM/EDX, EPMA and LA-ICP-MS. All samples were excavated in the Latin settlement of Satricum in central west Italy and apart from two, were found in the so-called fourth–third c. BC Hellenistic Votive deposit, also known as Votive Deposit III, discovered in front of the sanctuary of Mater Matuta on top of the acropolis. The analytical results indicate that the glass from Satricum is a typical soda-lime-silica type with natron used as a flux. Its chemical compositions display a relatively low compositional variation. Small differences in the concentrations of major and minor oxides (SiO2, Al2O3, CaO and Fe2O3) and in trace elements (Sr, Zr and Nd) between individual samples suggest the use of different types of raw materials, especially sand. In turn, this suggests that the glass derived from more than one glass making centre. The combined investigation of colourants (Co, Cu and Mn) reinforces and confirms the idea that glass from Satricum was made using different manufacturing traditions during the Hellenistic period.
Highlights
Archeometric glass studies have focused on the analysis of material from various periods, from Bronze Age to the Middle Ages
The focus of this paper is an analytical study of early Hellenistic glass excavated in Satricum, Italy, in order to redress the balance of our knowledge for glass from this time period
The current study aims to improve our knowledge on the composition of the glass and the provenance of the material, providing valuable information on the position of Satricum in the commercial networks of this period (Gnade 2002, 2007)
Summary
Archeometric glass studies have focused on the analysis of material from various periods, from Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. The scientific community has been mainly interested in investigating glass dating from the Late Bronze Age AD) while little interest has been given to glass from the intervening period The focus of this paper is an analytical study of early Hellenistic glass excavated in Satricum, Italy, in order to redress the balance of our knowledge for glass from this time period. Little is known about primary or secondary glass production during Hellenistic times. The main objectives of this work are to shed light to the glass technology used in this period and to try to answer suggest a provenance for the glasses
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