Pre-Roman glass from Mozia (Sicily-Italy): the first archaeometrical data

This study present the results of an archaeometrical investigation performed on a series of opaque pre-Roman glass (vessels and ornaments) dated from the 6th to 4th century BC coming from Sicily. Sixteen core formed vessels, twelve beads, three pendants and one spindle-whorl recovered in the Phoenician-Punic sites of Mozia and Birgi were analysed thought a micro destructive approach. The complete chemical analyses and X-Ray diffraction analyses were performed on small fragments of glass. The aims of this work are: 1) to obtain a chemical characterization of these samples in order to understand the raw materials employed for their production; 2) to obtain information regarding the opacifying phases dispersed in the glass; 3) to make a comparison with the results recently obtained on coeval and similar finds recovered in other cultural context, in particular in Northern Italian Etruscan contexts in order to understand whether they could belong to the same Greek-Eastern production.The chemical data of these samples confirm they are silica soda lime glass produced with natron. The opaque decorations of the samples were done by using Sb based opacifiers. The major and minor analyses of the majority of the samples seem to suggest a common origin with the coeval material found in Northern Italian context. On the contrary, for some artifacts, in particular the pendants, a Phoenician-Punic origin is supposed.

► Mozia samples are silica soda lime glass.
► The chemistry of Mozia glass resemble that of Northern Italy coeval samples.
► The opacifiers used for the vessels are lead antimonates and calcium antimonates.
► The major difference are linked to the “pendant” probably of Phoenician origin.