Identifying Bronze Age glass production centres through bead-making techniques
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23858/APol67.2022.003Keywords:
Poland, Bronze Age, glass beads, HMG, LMHK glass, folding technique, winding techniqueAbstract
The assemblage of Bronze Age glass beads found in the territory of present-day Poland counts 3100 pieces. The earliest examples known from excavations in central Europe are dated most often to the BrB–HaA1/A2 phases of the Bronze Age (= BA II–III/IV); they are made of high magnesium glass (HMG), which is now most frequently corroded. In the HaA2–HaB3 phases (= BA IV–V), beads were produced of a “mixed alkali” glass, also called low magnesium and high potassium glass (LMHK), which is usually preserved in rather good condition. The oldest beads are large as a rule, well made, using, at least in some cases, the folding technique. Small, undecorated beads made of “mixed alkali” glass were produced by the winding technique.
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