Investigating the Degradation of Mycenaean Glass Artifacts Using Scientific Methods

Abstract

Mycenaean vitreous artifacts, such as beads and relief plaques, are highly susceptible to degradation, which can significantly alter their visual characteristics and pose challenges to their taxonomy. The visual manifestation of corrosion on vitreous artifacts, especially glass and faience, has often led to their misclassification, which, in turn, has a significant impact on their interpretation by researchers, often resulting in misleading notions. The present paper constitutes part of an overall study, implemented within the framework of the project, Myc-MVP: Mycenaean Vitreous Production, A Novel Interdisciplinary Approach Towards Resolving Critical Taxonomy Issues, which has employed a combination of established, state-of-the-art scientific methods to analyze and identify the specific compositional changes occurring at different spatial dimensions within surface layers, with the overarching aim of contributing to our understanding of the degradation mechanisms of vitreous artifacts and the relevant implications for the archaeological record. Importantly, these findings will yield useful data in devising strategies for the proper classification, management, and preservation of vitreous artifacts in the future. The present study focuses on investigating the relationship between the compositional changes in a subset of 12 (of the overall 126 objects entailed in the project) corroded vitreous artifacts from Mycenaean contexts in the Aegean and the way these are manifested visually, with the application of X-ray fluorescence and LED microscopy. We aim to decipher the nature of corroded objects with the aid of focused analysis. This study delves into degradation processes in glass artifacts, highlighting preservation variations and environmental influences like burial. Coloration, attributed to copper and cobalt oxide, shows some correlation with preservation quality. These chromophore agents potentially induce thermal stresses and corrosion. The complex interplay between chemical composition, environmental conditions, and preservation status underscores the need for comprehensive research. Analyzing the full artifact set using complementary techniques promises deeper insights for secure material classification and cultural heritage preservation.