Characterization of Sasanian glasses obtained in Seymareh with an archaeometric approach using the micro-PIXE technique

Studying and measuring the elemental composition of historical and ancient glasses are of special importance in sciences related to archeology. Only by being aware of the elemental composition of historical glasses, valuable information can be obtained regarding the technology and technique of production, determining the raw materials used in production, as well as examining trade and exchange of raw materials and finished products. In this research, 41 samples of glass fragments obtained from the historical city of Seymareh, which dates back to the Sasanian period, were analyzed using the micro-PIXE techniqe. The aims of this research are to provide appropriate answers to the questions raised in this field using elemental analysis. The first fundamental question is to determine what raw materials were used to make glass products in the historical city of Seymareh. Determining the flux materials used in these glasses is also of particular importance, as identifying the type of flux material can play a significant role in studying the trade and exchange of raw materials. Another question in this regard is to investigate the diversity of silica resources and identify the colorants and decolorants used in the manufacturing process. The results of this study indicate that all the analyzed glass samples from the historical city site of Seymareh are classified into the silica-soda-lime group of glasses. Based on the weight percentage of magnesium oxide and potassium oxide present in these glasses, which is more than 2.5wt%, it is determined that plant ashes have been used as a flux in their production. The elemental composition results of these glasses also show that based on the raw materials used in their production, the glasses of this site are divided into two major groups, each of which has been produced with different raw materials.