Compositional analysis of 17–18th century archaeological glass fragments, excavated in Mechelen, Belgium: Comparison with data from neighboring cities in the Low Countries

A series of 35 archaeological glass vessels, recovered in fragmented form from a cesspit belonging to a 17th century town palace in the center of Mechelen, Belgium, were quantitatively analyzed by means of electron probe X-ray micro analysis. On the basis of their shape, the vessels can be dated from the early 17th to mid 18th century. The results of the analysis show that the vessels were made of Na- and K-rich glass. Comparison to a data base of analytical results obtained from glass vessels of the same period, recovered in other urban centers in the Low Countries and beyond indicated that the glass compositions observed are similar to those encountered in 17th century Antwerp, Breda, Amsterdam and London.