Abstract
AbstractThis article presents an archaeometrical research carried out on twenty-six vitreous finds collected in the Cosenza Cathedral (Calabria, Italy). The glasses have been subdivided in two typo-chronological groups. The first group is composed of 14 vitreous samples dating to the 4th–6th century AD. The second group includes twelve samples; seven are stems of funnel-shaped hanging lamps which date between the 12th and the 13th century AD, two are bottlenecks of balsamaria and three are concave bases. The aims of this study were the determination of the chemical composition of vitreous finds and the individuation of the primary glass sources. The samples were characterized through Electron Probe Micro Analyser with Wavelength Dispersive Spectrometer (EPMA-WDS) and Laser Ablation with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The data confirm that all the finds of the first group are “silica-soda-lime” type glasses characterized by a high content of Na2O and a low content of K2O and MgO. On the contrary, the samples of the second group, showing higher contents of K2O and MgO, are vegetable silica-soda-lime glasses. Their composition confirms the typological attribution to the medieval period.
Highlights
IntroductionThe raw materials employed by glassmakers for glass production consist of a mixture of three main components: silica sand, lime and alkaline compounds or “fluxants” able to facilitate the production of glass (Fiori, Vandini & Mazzotti, 2004; Silvestri, Molin, & Salviulo, 2005a, 2008; Angelini, Gratuze, & Artioli, 2019)
The raw materials employed by glassmakers for glass production consist of a mixture of three main components: silica sand, lime and alkaline compounds or “fluxants” able to facilitate the production of glass (Fiori, Vandini & Mazzotti, 2004; Silvestri, Molin, & Salviulo, 2005a, 2008; Angelini, Gratuze, & Artioli, 2019).The different ratios of the three components allows grouping of the glasses according to their compositional basis
Examining the timeline proposed by Wederpohl (1997), from the 2nd millennium BC to 800 BC, two different alkaline fluxes were used for glassmaking; plant ash soda was preferred in Mesopotamia Egypt, mixed soda-potash in Northern Italy
Summary
The raw materials employed by glassmakers for glass production consist of a mixture of three main components: silica sand, lime and alkaline compounds or “fluxants” able to facilitate the production of glass (Fiori, Vandini & Mazzotti, 2004; Silvestri, Molin, & Salviulo, 2005a, 2008; Angelini, Gratuze, & Artioli, 2019). The different ratios of the three components allows grouping of the glasses according to their compositional basis. The variations in percentage and type of fluxants present allows insights into the temporal and geographical origins of glass manufacturing. Examining the timeline proposed by Wederpohl (1997), from the 2nd millennium BC to 800 BC, two different alkaline fluxes were used for glassmaking; plant ash soda was preferred in Mesopotamia Egypt, mixed soda-potash in Northern Italy. From the 1st millennium BC until the 7th century AD the flux was mostly constituted by compounds of sodium introduced using natron
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