THE UISPP JOURNAL
Chloë N. Duckworth – LATEST ADVANCEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF ANALYTICAL SCIENCE TO ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL GLASS PRODUCTION
Major recent developments in the archaeometry of ancient and historical glass production are outlined, and examples of methods which are set to determine the future agenda of glass studies are presented. In the past twenty years there has been a step-change in the quantity and quality of archaeometric data for glass production, allowing researchers to address larger-scale questions. Quantitative chemical analyses, including trace element analysis, are increasingly being used to reconstruct not only provenance, but also production techniques, contamination, and recycling; isotope analysis is being used to challenge previous assumptions about provenance and develop approaches more rooted in geochemistry; and novel analytical techniques including ToF-SIMS and portable laser ablation have great future potential if applied to the correct questions. Finally, the use of handheld, portable-XRF is increasing the range of questions that can be asked in the field, from production site survey to sample selection, and the analysis of in situ glass windows.
Reference as:
Duckworth CN. 2019. Latest advancements in the application of analytical science to ancient and historical glass production. UISPP Journal 2(1), pp 99–110. https://doi.org/10.62526/66X65T
