Show Notes
What was Roman window glass like?
Well, to start with it had bubbles in it, you couldn't really see through and it was expensive.
Listen to this episode to learn about Roman glass, what was it, where it was made, and by whom.
Photos of this episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWW4wx2lzbW/
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Sources:
Archaeological Studies Ian Freestone (University College London): Freestone is widely considered the world's leading authority on the chemical provenance of Roman glass. Patrick Degryse, Glass-making in Antiquity: Isotope Analysis (2014): The definitive scientific text on using strontium and neodymium isotopes to track Roman glass back to specific Mediterranean beaches. Allen, D. (2002), Roman Window Glass: A specialized study that looks specifically at the architectural use of glass.
Ancient Historical Sources Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia (Natural History), Book 36: This is the most famous source. Pliny describes the accidental discovery of glass by Phoenician merchants on the River Belus Strabo, Geographica: Writing in the early 1st century AD, strabo notes the unique properties of the sand to be melted into glass, highlighting the Levant's industrial dominance. Diocletian Edict on Maximum Prices (301 AD): A massive document of regulated prices across the empire.
Shipwreck Evidence The Embiez Shipwreck (France): A 3rd-century wreck that was carrying nearly two tons of raw glass chunks and blocks from the East. The Grado Shipwreck (Adriatic Sea): Famous for carrying a massive cargo of cullet (broken glass) meant for recycling.
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