Early Opacifiers In The Glaze Industry Of First Millennium bc Persia: Persepolis And Tepe Rabat

A groundbreaking analysis of glazed bricks from Persepolis and Tepe Rabat reveals the early use of sophisticated opacifiers in Persian glaze production during the first millennium BC. The study identifies lead antimonate as a yellow opacifier and brizziite (NaSbO3) as a white opacifier, with brizziite also found in green and turquoise glazes. Additionally, the research suggests accidental co-formation of these opacifiers alongside CaSb2O6 in some samples. The findings hint at a possible link between Achaemenid glaze techniques and those used by the Mannean culture at Tepe Rabat, offering new insights into ancient ceramic technology and cross-cultural influences.

Holakooei, P., Ahmadi, M., Volpe, L., & Vaccaro, C. (2016). Early Opacifiers In The Glaze Industry Of First Millennium bc Persia: Persepolis And Tepe Rabat. Archaeometry, 59(2), 239–254. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.12255