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Title Glass working and recycling in Pompeii: new evidence from the landfill of the Sarno Baths (VIII 2, 17-23)
ID_Doc 19986
Authors Boschetti, C; Furlan, G; Schibille, N; Raja, R; Bonetto, J
Title Glass working and recycling in Pompeii: new evidence from the landfill of the Sarno Baths (VIII 2, 17-23)
Year 2024
Published Archaeological And Anthropological Sciences, 16.0, 8
DOI 10.1007/s12520-024-02009-1
Abstract Forty-six glass finds, including vessel fragments, windows, one inlay and one indicator of production (moil) excavated in the dump of the Sarno Baths in Pompeii were selected for an interdisciplinary technological, typological and chemical study. The identification of the moil demonstrates that a glassblowing workshop most likely existed in Pompeii, thus putting an end to a long-standing scientific debate. The LA-ICP-MS chemical data show that Roman-Mn base glass predominates, along with few Egyptian natron-type glasses and some plant-ash glass of probable Egyptian origin as well. A large proportion of the analysed glass, including the moil, consists of recycled compositions, suggesting the existence of an efficient system of collection and recycling of glass, which was active even at a time when the city had an abundant supply of fresh glass. The demand for raw glass in Pompeii far exceeded the average demand of other Roman towns, because glass containers were essential for the flourishing perfume industry in Pompeii and Campania. The proximity of the Sarno dump to the perfume district in the south-western part of the city and to the horrea of the Sanctuary of Venus suggests the possible location of the glass workshop in this area.
Author Keywords Pompeii; Glass recycling; Glass working; Roman glass trade; Plant-ash glass; LA-ICP-MS
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED); Social Science Citation Index (SSCI); Arts & Humanities Citation Index (A&HCI)
EID WOS:001269399900001
WoS Category Anthropology; Archaeology; Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Research Area Anthropology; Archaeology; Geology
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