Glass finds from Banbhore: An Archaeological and Archaeo-metric Approache for the Study of the Assemblages (Preliminary Report)

An assemblage of glass finds from the Banbhore excavation was selected for preliminary recognition according to well-established and scientific-based methodological approach. The available set, consisting of 173 fragments recovered from three trenches (nos. 7, 8 and 9), was preliminarily observed by naked eye and recorded, distinguishing, where possible, between diagnostic elements (hems, bottoms and loops) and wall fragments. After a preliminary cleaning of surface deposits, the archaeological study of the finds was carried out by means of a preliminary grouping of the original typologies in macro-categories, followed by the use of non-invasive methods for an objective documentation and description of the colour. Following these preliminary operations, the glassware fragments will undergo an integrated, multi-methodological research approach. First, chrono-typological study will provide, through a detailed comparison with published catalogues of assemblages from similar context, suitable data to put the recognisable forms into proper contextualisation, taking into consideration the provenance site and its peculiarities. The archaeological study of the fragments will, thus, be fundamental for the following analytical phases, that will allow to frame compositional features and raw materials used in the manufacture of glasses from Banbhore within ancient glass manufacturing, in the perspective of identifying possible technological and/or compositional connections with Middle Eastern and Eastern area