IL VETRO DELLA PUGLIA SETTENTRIONALE (IV-VII/VIII SECOLO D.C.). PROVENIENZA E TECNOLOGIA

Glass in northern Apulia. Provenance and technology (4th-7th centuries) During the last twenty years, the results of the archaeological investigations carried out at the sites of Herdonia, Canusium and Salapia, at the rural sites of San Giusto in the territory of Lucera, and Faragola, and in the territory of Ascoli Satriano, have allowed a study of the economic and social organisation of northern Apulia between late antiquity and the early Middle Ages. In this context, a considerable amount of data has been acquired on glass craftsmanship. Morpho-typological and archaeometrical research has been carried out on glass from Herdonia, Faragola and San Giusto. The mosaic tesserae from the wall decoration of the bath building and from the sectilia of the cenatio in the villa at Faragola are considered. Two fragments of crucibles and a glass pane are documented at Herdonia. The morpho-typological analyses of the glass fragments have produced a chrono-typological atlas, considering the spatial distribution and the functional aspects of the artefact. Archaeometric analyses have shown a clear prevalence of natron glass, the use of numerous sources of impure sands as vitrifying agents and the predominant use of a limited number of common dyes and decolourants (mainly iron, manganese, copper and cobalt). In conclusion, the studies carried out so far represent an emblematic case of the articulation of ancient glass production and trade, even within a geographically limited area.