Chemical Characterization of Roman and Early Byzantine Glass from Boğazköy/Hattuša and its Vicinity

Abstract

During investigations in the Hittite capital Hattuša the remains of a small, probably village settlement from late antiquity were discovered at various points in the urban area. A necropolis from this epoch is of particular importance. Finds from it as well as finds purchased in the vicinity by the local museum provided the material for archaeometric analyses of the chemical composition of glass specimens from late antiquity. Several groups can be chemically distinguished and they fit well into the known spectrum of eastern Mediterranean glass production. Given these findings, we may assume that the then relatively remote region of Boğazköy was nonetheless integrated in the transregional network supplying raw materials for glass production.