ARCHAEOMETRICAL INVESTIGATION OF SICILIAN EARLY BYZANTINE GLASS: CHEMICAL AND SPECTROSCOPIC DATA* |
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Authors: | R ARLETTI † C GIACOBBE S QUARTIERI G SABATINO G TIGANO M TRISCARI G VEZZALINI |
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Institution: | Department of Earth Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, L.go S. Eufemia 19, I-41100 Modena, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Messina, Salita Sperone, 31, I-98166 Messina S.Agata, Italy; Soprintendenza ai BB.CC.AA. di Messina, Sezione Archeologica, Viale Boccetta, 38, I-98100 Messina, Italy |
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Abstract: | A series of early Byzantine glasses, recovered in Ganzirri (Sicily, Italy), was analysed for major, minor and trace elements. All the analysed fragments were found to be natron-based silica–lime glass. Concerning minor and trace elements, the samples can be divided into two groups: glass with high Fe, Ti and Mn contents ( HIMT glass) and glass with low levels of Fe, Ti and Mn. These results, strictly in agreement with literature data for glass of the Mediterranean region, can be interpreted as a consequence of the wide trade network established in this region and of the intense circulation of raw glass and artefacts from different Mediterranean areas. X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies at Fe and Mn K-edges, performed on HIMT glass, indicate that Fe is in the oxidized form while Mn is in the reduced form. |
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Keywords: | GLASS EARLY BYZANTINE ITALY CHEMICAL ANALYSES EMPA LA–ICP–MS XAS |
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