Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
3.7
1.9
Journals
Heritage
Special Issues
Advanced Analysis of Archaeological Glass
share announcement

Advanced Analysis of Archaeological Glass

A special issue of Heritage (ISSN 2571-9408).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 2970

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Mafalda Costa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
HERCULES HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Palácio do Vimioso, Largo Marquês de Marialva, 8, 7000-809 Évora, Portugal
Interests: archaeometry; glass; faience; pigments; provenance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Archaeological glass artefacts serve as invaluable windows into past societies, illuminating aspects of technological innovation, trade dynamics, and cultural practices. Recent advancements in analytical methodologies have significantly enhanced our ability to investigate these objects, offering deeper insights into their composition, manufacturing techniques, and degradation processes.

This Special Issue aims to consolidate cutting-edge research focused on the advanced analysis of archaeological glass. We welcome contributions that explore novel analytical approaches, case studies of glass artefacts from diverse archaeological contexts, and interdisciplinary studies that integrate scientific analysis with historical and cultural interpretations. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Compositional analysis;
  • Manufacturing technologies;
  • Provenance studies;
  • Conservation strategies.

By bringing together diverse perspectives and methodologies, this issue seeks to foster a comprehensive understanding of ancient glass and its role within past human societies. We invite researchers from various disciplines—archaeometry, materials science, conservation, and archaeology—to contribute their findings and engage in this scholarly dialogue.

Research articles, review articles, and short communications are welcomed.

Dr. Mafalda Costa
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Heritage is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • archaeometry
  • archaeological science
  • material culture
  • glass composition
  • glassmaking technology
  • provenance studies
  • knowledge transfer
  • cultural exchange
  • glass conservation

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 3209 KB  
Article
Addressing the Preservation State and Weathering Products of an Ancient Glass Bead Collection (IV-I c. BC) by Micro-FTIR Spectroscopy
by Suset Barroso-Solares, Ulrich Schade, Ljiljana Puskar, Elvira Rodriguez-Gutierrez, A. Carmelo Prieto, Carlos Sanz-Minguez and Javier Pinto
Heritage 2026, 9(3), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9030094 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1183
Abstract
Archeological glass has attracted significant attention in recent years. Its archaeometric study has proven to provide remarkable insights into technological development and relationships among ancient cultures. Thus, ancient glass remains have been recovered from oblivion, and their preservation has become a priority. An [...] Read more.
Archeological glass has attracted significant attention in recent years. Its archaeometric study has proven to provide remarkable insights into technological development and relationships among ancient cultures. Thus, ancient glass remains have been recovered from oblivion, and their preservation has become a priority. An extraordinarily well-contextualized collection of ancient glass beads, comprising over 1200 pieces, has been recovered from the archeological site of Pintia (Padilla de Duero, Valladolid, Spain). A large fraction of this collection appears to be well preserved. However, recent detailed studies on its most relevant piece, a Phoenician glass pendant, evidenced the presence of carbonatation processes. Accordingly, an extensive analysis of the preservation state of this collection was required to safeguard it for future generations. Thus, 64 representative samples from this collection, including diverse chronologies, morphologies, and colors, were analyzed by micro-FTIR spectroscopy at the IRIS beamline of the BESSY-II synchrotron (Berlin, Germany), yielding ATR and reflectance spectra. This work, the first micro-FTIR spectroscopy study of a large set of pre-Roman glass beads, provided evidence about the preservation of the glass structure of these pieces, as well as about the presence of crystalline weathering products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Analysis of Archaeological Glass)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 8601 KB  
Article
Hidden Technologies of Thai Gold Glass Mirrors: Interface Chemistry and Raw Material Signatures Across Thailand
by Supapon Deechob, Surapich Poolprasroed, Kamonpan Pengpat, Sukum Eitssyeam, Arnon Kraipok, Pratthana Intawin, Surapong Panyata, Ekarat Meechoowas, Terd Disayathanoowat, Pinit Kidkhunthod, Phakkhananan Pakawanit, Jintara Padchasri, Chanvit Sriprom, Manlika Kamnoy, Thapanee Srichoompong, Napassorn Kietisirirojana and Tawee Tunkasiri
Heritage 2026, 9(2), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9020053 - 31 Jan 2026
Viewed by 885
Abstract
This study identifies the technological signature of ancient and alternative “Chu” and “Kriab” gold glass mosaic mirrors from Thailand. Although these mirrors play an important role in Thai decorative heritage, their production routes and interfacial chemistry at the lead-to-glass interface have remained unclear. [...] Read more.
This study identifies the technological signature of ancient and alternative “Chu” and “Kriab” gold glass mosaic mirrors from Thailand. Although these mirrors play an important role in Thai decorative heritage, their production routes and interfacial chemistry at the lead-to-glass interface have remained unclear. A survey of 154 sites across Thailand shows mosaic glass was widely distributed and likely produced during the Ayutthaya period (~300 years ago). Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF), Wavelength-Dispersive XRF (WD-XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) were used to examine the material properties of observed Chu mirrors. Most samples can be classified as a mixed lead–alkaline glass type, with a PbO content ranging from 4.28 to 48.17 wt%. Their yellow tone is controlled by iron and manganese redox states. Chemical and physical analyses distinguish between Chu from the northern part of Thailand and Kriab from the central part of Thailand, which share a silica source but rely on different fluxes, pointing to different glass workshops. Crucially, XPS depth profiling reveals a well-defined interfacial reaction zone extending to approximately 6 nm in the ancient mirrors, predominantly characterized by disordered, chain-like Pb–O–Pb linkages. These polymeric structures enable a “chemical bridging” mechanism that effectively accommodates interfacial strain arising from thermal expansion mismatch, thereby ensuring exceptional long-term adhesion. Furthermore, the depth-dependent distribution of hydrated lead species and the emergence of photoelectron energy-loss features beyond ~6 nm distinguish the superior metallic integrity of the ancient coatings from the alternative reproductions. This distinct stratification confirms that ancient artisans achieved a sophisticated balance between a chemically bonded interface and a coherent metallic bulk. These findings offer significant insights into the ingenuity of ancient Thai artisans, providing a scientific foundation for the conservation, restoration, and replication of these culturally significant artifacts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Analysis of Archaeological Glass)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop