Ancient Roman nano-technology: Insight into the manufacture of mosaic tesserae opacified by calcium antimonate

We demonstrated that 0.2 wt% of nucleating agents like TiO2 and SnO2 already exert significant influence on the crystallisation behaviour of calcium antimonates. Secondary scattering centres such as silica and carbonates contribute to the optical appearance. Concurrently, we reproduced opaque white glass ceramics in a reconstructed, wood-fired, Roman-type glass furnace built by Wiesenberg (2014).