Objectives

The objectives of the research, that focus on the production and trade of Greek glass, especially the origins and development of Hellenistic glass are the following:

  1. to transform the knowledge base of ancient Greek glass so as to enhance in fundamental ways archaeological and art historical, socio-economic and technological interpretations, and so as to be able to simplify and prioritise the planning of appropriate conservation strategies;

  2. to apply an innovative combination of chemical (major, minor and trace analysis) and provenance (isotopic) techniques to archaeology, leading to the successful provenance of raw materials and the precise identification and characterisation of colourants and opacifiers;

  3. to identify the locations where primary production of Greek glass occurred, clarifying the economic dynamics governing Hellenistic glass production and trade and enhancing the knowledge of the ancient Greek economy.