Becoming vitrified

Abstract

This thesis is designed to make a study with special emphasis in high temperature production. Two case studies are included that are geographically separated but united by the occurrence of vitrification; a material which is contextualised in a wider understanding of the societies within. The inclusion of archaeological material that is evaluated both in material science and archaeological contexts demonstrates the need for, and gains from, a collaboration between humanities and natural science. The extraction of immanent social information from a specific group of material suggests that vitrified material, like glass and certain kinds of slags, are likely to be found in advanced societies with a well-structured organisation. The study finally identifies the importance and value of this group of archaeological material which may provide a widened picture of such advanced societies, whatever geographic position or archaeological period the societies were placed in.