Evidence of early medieval soda ash glass in the archaeological site of San Genesio (Tuscany)
Simone Cagno|L. Favaretto|M. Mendera|Andrei Izmer|Frank Vanhaecke|Koen Janssens
The early medieval period marks an important turning point in the history of glassmaking, since it comprises transition between mineral-based silica-soda-lime glass Roman tradition and plant ash-based glass. With aim expanding knowledge on recipes technologies this period, 37 samples were analyzed, originating from archaeological excavations San Genesio (Tuscany) dated fourth to eleventh century. major minor element concentrations measured with SEM-EDX, while trace elements quantified LA-ICP-MS. results compared published compositions similar age order highlight differences similarities. offer a very interesting view circulation religious/residential/manufacturing center period. Most has typical late-Roman composition, but some fragments are identified as soda ash These among earliest ash-fluxed glasses ever found Italian peninsula.
Journal of Archaeological Science