By: Shuo Geng, Peking University, China, Noble Group Fellow
My project at the Albright Institute during the academic year, 2011-2012 was entitled “Chinese and Western Cultural Exchange in Archaeology：Focusing on Western Glassware Found in China from the First Century B.C. to the Sixth Century A.D.” It was during this period that China initiated wide-ranging cultural contacts with the western world, resulting in large numbers of western artifacts being found in China at sites and in tombs, such as gold, silver, and glass ware, as well as pottery, brass objects, textiles, seals, and coins, etc. with glassware being one of the most important of these finds. Previous research on glass-ware has achieved significant results. Studies by Chinese scholars, however, have generally lacked in-depth research on the primary data of Western ancient glassware. (more…)
Friends of ASOR Podcast
Sir: Since you are at the beginning of your glass research I suggest you further your work by examining each piece of ancient glass at the molecular level. I believe there are several instruments which can easily and simply accomplish this without the destruction of the object being examined. Trace elements found within each piece should point you to the general location of their manufacture. Additionally, you will both set a precedent for meaningful ancient glass research in China and create a baseline instrument for examining all future pieces of glass uncovered in China.
Yours Truly,
David Marshall
Past V.P. of Wheaton Glass Museum Glass Research Society,
Vineland, NJ, USA.