Trace element discriminants between Egyptian and Mesopotamian Late Bronze Age glasses |
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Authors: | Andrew Shortland Nick Rogers Katherine Eremin |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Materials and Medical Sciences, Centre for Archaeological and Forensic Analysis, Cranfield University, Shrivenham, Swindon, Wiltshire SN6 8LA, UK;2. Department of Earth Sciences, CEPSAR, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK;3. Harvard University Art Museums, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA |
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Abstract: | The origins of Late Bronze Age glass artefacts found throughout the Mediterranean and Near and Middle East remain controversial. Previous analyses of major and minor elements in both Egyptian and Mesopotamian glasses have proven equivocal, revealing no significant compositional differences between glasses from these two regions. Here we present new Laser ablation-ICPMS analyses of 32 trace elements in 54 samples of both Egyptian and Mesopotamian blue and colourless glasses. Our results show that there are consistent differences between these two suites, which are not related to the colorant and clearly indicate the use of different raw materials and/or manufacturing processes. Compositional variations are related to geological controls, hence this method holds promise for the development of a minimally destructive technique for discriminating between archaeological glasses of different provenance, which will be essential in the interpretation of ancient trade patterns and contacts. |
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Keywords: | Glass LA-ICPMS Trace elements Provenance Egypt Mesopotmia Late Bronze Age |
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