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The aim of this study is to identify the presence of a possible production of glass in the ancient harbour of Classe (Ravenna - Italy), after the redevelopment of the 5thcentury AD. In particular, the Building n. 6 (5th– 8thcentury) has returned a considerable amount of glass objects (vessels and production wastes), probably connected with the small circular kiln identified inside. Just outside of Building n. 6, the dump US 4381 (early 6thcentury AD) allows a typological and compositional comparison, relative to the moment of maximum attendance of the warehouse, with the possibility to identify which forms could be produced inside. The forms identified in both of the contexts are: beakers (Is. 96, 106c and variants with rounded rim), goblets (Is. 111), bowls (Is. 116/117 and variants), lamps (Is. 134 and Uboldi III.2) and production wastes (glass chunk and working debris). The chemical analyses conducted (XRF and EPMA) shows the presence of three compositional groups: HIMT glass (High Iron Manganese Titanium), Serie 3.2 and Levantine I. The presence of glass raw chunks and vessels of HIMT and Série 3.2 composition can be interpreted as evidence of a systematic glassworking activity in Classe, although limited to these compositions Few fragments and no raw chunk referable to the chemical group of the Levantine I, are, in fact, identified in Classe, allowing us no consideration about working activities for glass of this composition. Finally, the isotopic analyses have highlighted the likely use of coastal sands typical of the Eastern Mediterranean as raw materials, and this evidence is perfectly compatible with a secondary production (recast of raw glass chunk and recycled materials). This study was carried out within the Italian MIUR PRIN 2009 “Continuità e discontinuità nelle produzioni vetrarie altoadriatiche tra il IX sec. a.C. e il XIV sec. d.C.”.

The site of Verucchio (Rimini, Italy) is well known for the importance and richness of its necropolis, excavated since the end of the 19th century to nowadays. The approximately 600 discovered tombs contain a large variety of grave goods, such as weapons, bronze and pottery vessels, wooden furniture, textiles, amber and glass ornaments. The present work concerns the archaeometric investigation of glass beads dated from the late 8th to the middle 7thcentury. Based on their typology, colour and conservation state, a set of 23 beads was selected for analysis. Thirty micro-samples of different types of glass were taken from the beads’ bodies and applied decorations and properly prepared in cross sections. Textural, chemical and mineralogical characterizations were obtained by analyses using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), electron microprobe (EPMA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). All the beads are composed by LMG glasses with natron as flux, but the chemical and textural compositions of the samples are extremely variable. Pale yellow, green, blue and amber coloured glasses show quite homogenous microtextures. Opaque white glasses are obtained by the use of calcium antimonate, whereas yellow opaque glasses show lead antimonate inclusions and high content of lead (Pb) in the glass phase. New and unexpected results come from the analysis of dark blue and black glasses of eye beads, cube shaped beads, pendant and annular beads with wave decorations. These are natron glasses with high contents of iron (Fe) and aluminium (Al), in some cases associated to manganese (Mn) and/or titanium (Ti). The glasses show a very heterogeneous texture with numerous mineral inclusions, such as quartz, plagioclase, sodium- and calcium silicates. Moreover, the very peculiar presence of iron slag inclusions is observed. These characteristics seem to suggest a specific and possibly local production. The data of the analysed glasses from Verucchio will be discussed in detail and compared with the available literature data of coeval Italian glasses.

This work reports results from a chemico-physical study of the stained glass window of the southern transept of St. Anthony's Basilica (Padova, Italy), dated to the late 19th century AD. Selected samples of glass with or without grisailles were characterised by means of various X-ray spectrometric techniques, such as wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence, electron microprobe, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, coupled, in some cases, with X-ray powder diffraction. Integration of analytical results revealed many types of glass related to different phases of the “life” of stained glass, and the production technology of grisailles. In addition, the degree of damage undergone throughout the last century due to materials used in the production of windows was studied, to design and optimise a combined conservation and restoration strategy. Lastly, another important aim of the present study was to amplify the database on 19th-century stained glass windows, little documented in the literature.