Description
Book SynopsisWorldwide research on ancient glass began in the early 20th century. A consensus has been reached in the community of Archaeology that the first manmade or synthetic glasses, based on archaeological findings, originated in the Middle East during the 5000–3000's BC. By contrast, the manufacturing technology of pottery and ceramics were well developed in ancient China. The earliest pottery and ceramics dates back to the Shang Dynasty – the Zhou Dynasty (1700 BC–770 BC), while the earliest ancient glass artifacts unearthed in China dates back to the Western Han Dynasty. Utilizing the state-of-the art analytical and spectroscopic methods, the recent findings demonstrate that China had already developed its own glassmaking technology at latest since 200 BC. There are two schools of viewpoint on the origin of ancient Chinese glass. The more common one believes that ancient Chinese glass originated from the import of glassmaking technology from the West as a result of Sino-West trade exchanges in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC–25 AD). The other scientifically demonstrates that homemade ancient Chinese glass with unique domestic formula containing both PbO and BaO were made as early as in the Pre-Qin Period or even the Warring State Period (770 BC–221 BC), known as Youhsa or Faience. This English version of the previously published Chinese book entitled History of Ancient Chinese Glass Technology Development is for universities and research institutes where various research and educational activities of ancient glass and history are conducted. With 18 chapters, the scope of this book covers very detailed information on scientifically based findings of ancient Chinese glass development and imports and influence of foreign glass products as well as influence of the foreign glass manufacturing processes through the trade exchanges along the Silk Road(s).
Table of ContentsOverview of Ancient Chinese Glass Research; Nature and Characteristics of Glassy Materials; Development of Non-Destructive Analytical Techniques and their Applications in Ancient Chinese Glass Research; Scientific Research on Natural Glass; Scientific Research of Ancient Chinese Faience; Ancient Glass Technology Development in the Western World; Ancient Glass Technology Development in the Eastern World; Historical Records of Ancient Chinese Glass; Glass Technology of the Pre-Qin and Han Dynasties in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River and Yangtze River of China; Glass Technology of Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River and Yangtze River of China; Glass Technology of Sui, Tang and Song Dynasties in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River and Yangtze River of China; Glass Technology of Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River and Yangtze River of China; Ancient Glass Technology in North and Northwest China; Ancient Glass Technology in South and Southwest China; Formation and Development of Ancient Chinese High Temperature Porcelain Glaze Technology; Scientific Research on the Earliest Chinese Low-temperature Lead-barium Glazed Ceramics; Evolution of Ancient Glass Composition and Origin of Glass Manufacturing Technology in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River and Yangtze River of China; Cultural and Technical Exchanges in Ancient Chinese Glass between China and Foreign Countries;
