Modern Materials in Antiquity: An Early History of the Art and Technology of Glass

Glass and its uses predate recorded history. Even before the ability to manufacture glass, early tribes discovered and shaped natural glass such as obsidian. The technology of synthetic glass production, however, is thought to date back to no later than 3000 BCE. This glass technology was not discovered fully fashioned, but grew slowly through continued development of both chemical composition and techniques for its production, manipulation, and material applications. This development had become fairly advanced by the Roman period, and the 1st to 4th century CE is often described as the First Golden Age of Glass. During this time, glass was widely used and certain kinds of glass were actually considered a household necessity by the 4th century, although many glass objects still remained luxury items. A general overview of the early history and chemistry of glass and its use will be presented.