Historical glasses are a valuable part of cultural heritage. Through many ages glasses have been exposed to burial and atmospheric conditions: water, sunlight, wind, temperature changes, biological activity, human devastation... more
Historical glasses are a valuable part of cultural heritage. Through many ages glasses have been exposed to burial and atmospheric conditions: water, sunlight, wind, temperature changes, biological activity, human devastation (restorations, hard cleaning procedures, vandalism), and from the beginning of 20th century a strong environmental pollution. These damaging factors caused irreversible changes in the glass structure and corroded both the bulk and surface of glass. This work describes glass deterioration, explains corrosion mechanisms and introduces analytical methods used in scientific research oriented to attain the knowledge for better conservation strategies. The present work also includes literature references on weathering mechanisms, state of conservation, surface features of historical glasses from Roman to modern ones and focuses on advanced analytical methods ( e.g., secondary ion mass spectrometry SIMS, atomic force microscopy AFM, proton induced X-ray emission PIXE, proton induced gamma-ray emission PIGE, Laser induced breakdown spectrometry LIBS, etc.) Additionally, some aspects connected with preventive conservation and the application of two kinds of sensors (environmental optical sensors and sensors to control glass corrosion) will be addressed.
Necklace beads are some of the most ancient glass pieces documented in the Iberian Peninsula. These pieces have been scarcely found in burial sites from Northeastern areas of the Iberian Peninsula and date from the second millennium BC.... more
Necklace beads are some of the most ancient glass pieces documented in the Iberian Peninsula.
These pieces have been scarcely found in burial sites from Northeastern areas of the Iberian Peninsula and date
from the second millennium BC. The use was spread at the beginning of the first millennium and the
maximum splendor was in Punic and Iberian contexts between the fourth and third centuries BC. Above all,
necklace beads appear in burial context in East and South areas of the Iberian Peninsula, even though they
have been also documented, in lesser amount, in inside areas.
The objective of this work is the review of the chemical analyses carried out on these glass beads, with the
aim to assess the experimental quality of published data and their utility to determine technological patterns
and geographical areas of provenance
These pieces have been scarcely found in burial sites from Northeastern areas of the Iberian Peninsula and date
from the second millennium BC. The use was spread at the beginning of the first millennium and the
maximum splendor was in Punic and Iberian contexts between the fourth and third centuries BC. Above all,
necklace beads appear in burial context in East and South areas of the Iberian Peninsula, even though they
have been also documented, in lesser amount, in inside areas.
The objective of this work is the review of the chemical analyses carried out on these glass beads, with the
aim to assess the experimental quality of published data and their utility to determine technological patterns
and geographical areas of provenance