PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF GLASS BRACELETS FROM THE WEST CEMETERY OF UMM EL-JIMAL IN NORTHEASTERN JORDAN

Abstract

SEM-EDX analysis is used in this study to investigate the production technology of 20 fragments of glass bracelets of uncertain date uncovered from the reused west cemetery of Umm el-Jimal in northeastern Jor- dan. While six bracelets are complexly decorated with multi-colored glasses, the rest are plain and mono- colored. Most of the bracelets appear macroscopically deeply colored or black. Styles and chemical analysis indicated an Islamic origin to the bracelets. Chemically, the bracelets are divided into natron, plant-ash and mixed-natron-plant-ash groups. Red, white, yellow-green decorations were produced by dispersing micron- scale copper crystals, tin oxide and lead-tin oxides in the glass melt, respectively. The results indicated recy- cling of older glass for the production of some bracelets and use of metal and alloy by-products as glass col- orants.