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Key research themes
1. How did lead glass technology originate and develop in the medieval and early Islamic periods, and what can isotopic and compositional analyses reveal about its local and technological innovations?
This research area focuses on tracing the origins, development, and technological innovations of lead glass production in medieval Europe, especially in regions such as the Iberian Peninsula and Central Europe. It investigates how lead glassmaking technologies emerged, their links to local raw materials, recycling practices, and cross-cultural exchanges driven by political and economic transformations during and after the Arab conquest. Understanding local raw material exploitation, production techniques, and recycling elucidates the socio-economic contexts and innovation pathways for lead glass in medieval settings, informed by isotopic signatures and compositional data.
Key finding: Laser ablation ICP-MS and lead isotope analyses of mid-8th to early 9th-century glass finds from Córdoba (Umayyad Spain) reveal the local exploitation of lead slag from regional silver and lead mining for new lead glass... Read more
Key finding: Electron probe microanalysis and lead isotope data on 10th-13th century high-lead and lead-potassium glass jewelry from Poland demonstrate that early medieval lead glass production was rooted in local lead deposits of... Read more
Key finding: Statistical and chemical analyses differentiate ancient glass artifacts into high-potassium and lead-barium glass types, correlating their surface weathering patterns with composition and coloration. Cluster analysis... Read more
2. What are the compositional, structural, and technological characteristics of lead silicate glasses and their implications for historical production, preservation, and advanced material applications?
This thematic area investigates the intrinsic chemical and structural properties of lead silicate glasses, encompassing ancient manufacturing recipes, elemental roles, degradation mechanisms, and preservation approaches. It also explores modern applications such as recycling of lead-containing glass waste and how these glasses' microstructures and longevity are affected by compositional variables. The studies integrate analytical methods like laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and non-invasive spectroscopic techniques to understand lead silicate glass durability, chemical resistance, and potential environmental and technological impacts.
Key finding: Experimental investigations on model lead silicate glasses with transitional element additives (Fe, Cu, Ag) demonstrate variable corrosion mechanisms in water and confirm that applying a protective silica sol-gel coating... Read more
Key finding: The development of a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) method enables quantitative depth-resolved compositional analysis of historical lead silicate glasses, even when affected by weathered surface layers. Using... Read more
Key finding: High-resolution neutron and X-ray diffraction combined with 207Pb NMR and structural modeling reveal that Pb(II) in lead silicate glasses consistently acts as a network-forming cation with low oxygen coordination and a... Read more
Key finding: Glass powder derived from fine cullet in glass recycling processes exhibits pozzolanic activity correlated with particle size and chemical composition, validating its incorporation as a partial cement substitute in mortars... Read more
3. How have the raw materials, coloring additives, and socio-economic factors influenced the production and appearance of lead glass through history, particularly in prehistoric to early medieval Europe?
This research theme examines the role of raw materials, additives (such as colorants and opacifiers), and socio-economic organization in shaping the manufacture and cultural significance of lead glass from prehistoric to early medieval Europe. It explores the control of compositional variables by artisans, the transition from antimonate to stannate-based opacifiers, and the connection of glass production to specialist industries and trade networks. Analyses of archaeological glass finds and manufacturing waste inform on glassmaking technologies and cultural interactions in evolving societal contexts.
Key finding: Chemical analysis of later prehistoric Western European glasses shows sophisticated control of small quantities of colorants, opacifiers, and clarifiers. Such precision indicates that glass production was a specialized... Read more
Key finding: Analyses of 9th-12th century Córdoba glasses unveiled two primary compositional groups: a plant-ash-based glass similar to Syrian and Egyptian types, and a distinctive lead–soda–silica glass with limited parallels elsewhere.... Read more
Key finding: Non-invasive spectroscopic investigation of Iron Age glass adornments reveals a complex array of cobalt-, iron-, and copper-based colorants, and early transition from antimonate to stannate opacifiers starting as early as the... Read more