Smoky Wood-Fired Ancient Glass Furnaces: Carbon Analysis of Roman Glass by 2.0 MeV Deuteron Activation Technique

Abstract

To understand the wood-fuel contamination problems faced by the ancient glass industry, some Roman glass fragments and beads were analysed for carbon by the elegant, non-destructive deuteron activation technique based on C-12(d,n)N-13 nuclear reaction. Carbon was found in all analysed glasses, covering a mass concentration range from 160 ppm to 2.2%, indicating that some fuel contamination was present in all samples. The higher concentration of 0.94 to 2.2% observed in some beads indicates that carbon was added intentionally as a “component” to the glass melt to obtain an amber colour.

Archaeometric Investigations on Archaeological Findings from Palazzo Corsini Alla Lungara (Rome)

“…The presence of quartz (SiO 2 ), calcite (CaCO 3 ), and apatite (Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 [F, OH, Cl] is highlighted in the XRD spectrum (Figure 25B). A chemical analysis (Figure 25C, Table 13) detected the presence of elements characteristic of Roman glass, such as silicon, aluminium, and lead [26,27]. The SEM image (Figure 25D) highlights the artefact's superficial glassy layer, which can be identified by the typical conchoidal fracture.…”