Indian Glass in the Middle East? Medieval and Ottoman Glass Bangles from Central Jordan

This archeological, historical, and scientific study of decorated and undecorated glass bangles places them in an international context. The scientific analysis of the bangles has revealed an unexpectedly wide range of glass compositions. The chemical compositions, especially of the deeply colored ("black") examples, present a signature that is not characteristic of the Middle East. This suggests that part of the glass was made in India, Africa, or the Far East, and that it reached Jordan along the Silk Road. The scientific analyses of these glasses also suggest that two kinds of raw glass were mixed. The bangles/glasses were evidently derived from a range of sources.