Exploring economy, society and culture through glass bangles: origins, circulation and cultural impact in the Western Indian Ocean
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Kent
Department Name: Sch of European Culture and Languages
Abstract
The number of glass bangles in the archaeological record in the Western Indian Ocean increase massively in number and diversity in the late and post-medieval periods of the thirteenth century onwards when the focus of production widens and extends to Aden, India and southeast Asia. During this period, glass bangles become ubiquitous at sites around the western Indian Ocean. This project aims to understand the spread of glass bangle production and circulation in the late and post medieval periods (c.1200-1700) for instance by mapping production areas and distribution, and investigate the cultural value and meanings of glass bangles, through a combination of archaeological science and investigation of size, colour and decoration (including a formal typology).
Research Questions
1. Is it possible to see patterns in the chronology and distribution of bangles in the archaeological record?
2. Can regions of production be identified using compositional analysis and what do these findings tell us about trade and exchange networks in operation in the Western Indian Ocean?
3. How do the identified production areas relate to differences in the established typology and production technologies of the bracelets studied?
4. What can the features, use and distribution of the bracelets tell us about their wearers' lives?
Methodology
Previous studies have shown that in order to understand the circulation of these items in any one region, a more systematic and integrated approach needs to be adopted. This project therefore aims to understand the spread of glass bangle production and circulation through a combination of archaeological science, and formal typology of size, colour and decoration. By mapping the distribution of the respective types and investigating their features, it will explore how they circulated, and were valued and used within society. The project will establish a new methodology and benchmark for the systematic analysis of this artefact type. The student will be able to shape the precise methodology, and areas chosen for more in-depth study, as the project progresses, and make decisions on which assemblages to study. The supervisory team will provide input to ensure that the scope remains achievable within the timescale allowed for a PhD studentship. The results are expected to be published as a monograph and one or more peer-reviewed papers.
Data will be collected on the physical form, decoration and colour of the bangles, together with relevant contextual information, using a suitable database programme. The collected information will be used to establish distribution and an initial chronology, and directly inform the selection of objects for scientific analysis.
The proposed project will employ a range of complementary analytical techniques to answer questions about the production of these bangles and the provenance of the glass used to make them. Digital microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) will be used to investigate the technological approaches used to produce the objects. SEM in combination with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) will be used to provide quantitative major and minor element compositions. These data will allow the objects to be divided into compositional groups which will provide further information about their chronological range and provenance. All of the above analytical techniques are available in the Department of Scientific Research at the BM. The possibility to use other analytical techniques not available at the BM will be explored during the project, but they are not necessary for the completion of the thesis. The student will be able to make decisions on this area of the project in discussion with the supervisors.
The assembled database of material will also form the basis for the analysis of cultural meanings drawing on relevant theoretical literature, for instance relating to gender and the life course, consumption and identity.
Research Questions
1. Is it possible to see patterns in the chronology and distribution of bangles in the archaeological record?
2. Can regions of production be identified using compositional analysis and what do these findings tell us about trade and exchange networks in operation in the Western Indian Ocean?
3. How do the identified production areas relate to differences in the established typology and production technologies of the bracelets studied?
4. What can the features, use and distribution of the bracelets tell us about their wearers' lives?
Methodology
Previous studies have shown that in order to understand the circulation of these items in any one region, a more systematic and integrated approach needs to be adopted. This project therefore aims to understand the spread of glass bangle production and circulation through a combination of archaeological science, and formal typology of size, colour and decoration. By mapping the distribution of the respective types and investigating their features, it will explore how they circulated, and were valued and used within society. The project will establish a new methodology and benchmark for the systematic analysis of this artefact type. The student will be able to shape the precise methodology, and areas chosen for more in-depth study, as the project progresses, and make decisions on which assemblages to study. The supervisory team will provide input to ensure that the scope remains achievable within the timescale allowed for a PhD studentship. The results are expected to be published as a monograph and one or more peer-reviewed papers.
Data will be collected on the physical form, decoration and colour of the bangles, together with relevant contextual information, using a suitable database programme. The collected information will be used to establish distribution and an initial chronology, and directly inform the selection of objects for scientific analysis.
The proposed project will employ a range of complementary analytical techniques to answer questions about the production of these bangles and the provenance of the glass used to make them. Digital microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) will be used to investigate the technological approaches used to produce the objects. SEM in combination with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) will be used to provide quantitative major and minor element compositions. These data will allow the objects to be divided into compositional groups which will provide further information about their chronological range and provenance. All of the above analytical techniques are available in the Department of Scientific Research at the BM. The possibility to use other analytical techniques not available at the BM will be explored during the project, but they are not necessary for the completion of the thesis. The student will be able to make decisions on this area of the project in discussion with the supervisors.
The assembled database of material will also form the basis for the analysis of cultural meanings drawing on relevant theoretical literature, for instance relating to gender and the life course, consumption and identity.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Ellen Swift (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Charlotte Nash (Student) |