Study of Late Roman and Byzantine glass by the combined use of analytical techniques

In the present work, we report on a detailed characterization of Late Roman and Byzantine (from 2nd to 8th century A.D.) glass specimen found in Catania (Sicily, Southern Italy) by the employment of two complementary techniques, namely scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM–EDS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) absorbance spectroscopy. The glass fragments come from archaeological excavations in the courtyard of St. Agata la Vetere's church in Catania. In particular, compositional data were obtained by scanning SEM–EDS measurements and the investigation of the degradation on the surface of the glass specimen was made combining the SEM–EDS observations with those performed through FT-IR absorbance. The whole set of results contributed to define the provenance of the specimens. Furthermore, the data furnished new evidences of the technical development of glass production in Late Roman and Byzantine period in Catania.

► Detailed characterization of archaeological glass specimen from Sicily.
► Microdestructive study by combining SEM–EDS and FT-IR techniques.
► Twofold study: bulk pristine glass and degradation on the surface.
► Results related to the origin and manufacturing procedures of the findings.
► New evidences of the technical development of glass production in Sicily.