Silica in Mycenaean glass production
Chemistry, provenance and archaeology of silica in Mycenaean glass production
Kalliopi Nikita
Funded by: British Academy Small Research Grants 2006-2007 (£7,215)
A selection of chemically analysed Mycenaean glasses will be further explored by using the radiogenic isotopes of neodymium (143Nd/144Nd) to provenance the silica of Mycenaean glass. By suggesting the sources of silica used in Mycenaean glass from chemical analyses and linking these to their isotope signatures, differentiations between production centres can be demonstrated and possible technological innovations can be highlighted (Henderson et al 2005). The results from this work will be incorporated into the results from the isotopic analysis for strontium (86Sr/87Sr) present in plant ashes of Mycenaean glass.
A study of the coastal and river landscape and its history in east central mainland Greece aims to evaluate the potential sources of silica that led to the impurities found in the analysed glass from the area. By exploring the archaeology of silica sources of Mycenaean glass, the degree of specialisation of the industry can be defined.
Image: Discoid pendants in the form of papyrus. Translucent dark blue glass. Moulded. D. 0.035m. H. 0.045m. Th. 0.006m Mycenaean cemetery at the site of Megalo Kastelli in Thebes (early 13th century BC). Thebes Archaeological Museum.
Bibliography
Henderson, J. et al. 2005. 'The use of oxygen, strontium and lead isotopes to provenance ancient glasses in the Middle East', Journal of Archaeological Science 32: 665-673.
Organisations
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Hellenic Ministry of Culture 3rd, 9th, 14th Ephorates of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities,
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Archaeological Museums of Thebes, Atalanti, Lamia.
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Excavation of Elateia-Alonaki, University of Salzburg, Fachbereich Altertumswissenschaften, Alte Geschichte, Altertumskunde und Mykenologie.
Laboratories
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Microanalysis Research Facility, Department of Classics and Archaeology, University of Nottingham
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British Geological Survey