The glass walls of Samarra (Iraq): Ninth-century Abbasid glass production and imports

Advanced Abbasid glass production and imports were confirmed through high-resolution analysis of glass artefacts from Samarra, revealing distinct compositional profiles linked to local craftsmanship and selective Byzantine influences. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) identified two related plant ash groups in architectural glass, pointing to a thriving ninth-century industry near the Abbasid capital. The study also corroborated historical accounts of glass production in Samarra while highlighting the cultural significance of luminous, reflective glass walls in Islamic palaces.

Schibille, N., Meek, A., Wypyski, M. T., Kröger, J., Rosser-Owen, M., & Wade Haddon, R. (2018). The glass walls of Samarra (Iraq): Ninth-century Abbasid glass production and imports. Plos One, 13(8), e0201749. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201749