Venice's Medieval Glass Industry Explored by Researchers

Researchers Margherita Ferri of Ca Foscari University, Elisabetta Gliozzo of the University of Florence, and Eleonora Braschi of Italy's National Research Council have conducted an analysis of glass fragments, waste from glass production, and a steatite crucible found at San Pietro di Castello on the island of Olivolo, dated from the sixth to the ninth centuries A.D.

This period coincides with when the island was positioned near the entrance to Venice's harbor. The study reveals that while Roman glass was traditionally made with natron sourced from Egypt, the researchers identified that early medieval glass in Venice was produced using plant ash as early as the eighth century.

Furthermore, the chemical composition of the glass indicates that new materials were imported from the Levant, showcasing Venice’s advanced trade networks and technological awareness 1,300 years ago. The analysis also uncovered that blue mosaic tiles from this era were crafted using recycled Roman glass, and the production of blue-colored glass included the reuse of metalworking slag containing cobalt.

These findings highlight the significant technological advancements and cultural exchanges occurring in Venice's medieval glass industry, reinforcing the city's historical importance as a center of trade and craftsmanship.

This research is detailed in a scholarly article published in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences.