This symposium is a specialized forum for research and application of archaeometry and archaeological sciences in glassy materials, covering the full spectrum of topics, techniques, chronologies and regions. Proposed sessions include:
Archaeometry
Archaeometry is the investigation of ancient and historical glasses by means of any scientific methods (chemical, isotopic, or any other laboratory technique). It is directed toward solving problems of origin, dating, and provenance of glass objects whether they are delicate vessels, shards, beads, tesserae, frits, faience, or slags. Any presentations or case studies of any archaeological glassy materials are welcome in this session, no matter if the study involves a delicate vessel, glass shards, tesserae, frits or slags.
Conservation problems
The focus of this session is the conservation of vitreous materials and the deterioration of glasses, with less emphasis on the understanding of early glassmaking, but more on historic and current compositional problems and encompasses the conservation of our cultural heritage, as well as important problems in modern glass science. Corrosion studies have been a major theme in the field of biomedical glasses, but the weathering of archaeological glasses provides real case studies for assessing the long-term stability for vitrified toxic or radioactive waste.
Presentations on other deterioration problems, from bio-degradation to color changes under UV or sun light (solarization) are welcome as well. Papers focused on the protection of archaeological and historic glasses (on site or in museums or stained glass windows exposed to the elements) and the recommendations for their conservation and protection are also welcomed.
New techniques of analyses in the context of archaeometry
With the advancement of instrumental analysis, portable instruments, studies presenting case studies using these new techniques will be of great interest to the community. In addition, results from round-robin tests or the comparison of sensitivities and detection limits of various techniques are just as valuable.
Lead Organizer
- Stephen P. Koob, The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning NY, USA, koobsp@cmog.org Robert H. Brill, The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning NY, USA