Faience and Egyptian blue frit from Khorasan: Scientific analysis on beads unearthed from Se Tepe site, northeast Iran

Abstract

The Khorasan region, located in northeast Iran, has historically served as a pivotal hub for civilizational exchanges, owing to its strategic position along ancient trade routes. Ten beads found in the Se Tepe site (Seh Tappeh or Seh Tapeh), northeast Iran from Yaz III period (550–300 BCE) were identified as faience and Egyptian blue frit using SEM-EDS and Micro-Raman analyses. Plant ash, quartz sand, and bronze scrap as well as lead antimonate yellow colorant were used to make six faience beads. Among the faience beads, four have high alumina contents, showing the connection with vitreous materials from Central or South Asia. Four Egyptian blue frit beads are identified as imports from the Mediterranean World. This research sheds light on the technology and potential provenance of vitreous materials in Achaemenid Khorasan. The diverse origins of these beads underscore the exchange and cultural interactions facilitated along the Great Khorasan Road.