Petrochemical attributes of glazed architectural elements from Middle-Elamite to Achaemenid excavation sites in Iran

Abstract Glazed decoration in Iran from the Middle Elamite to Achaemenid periods includes world art milestones. With exception of Hasanlu IVB, for most sites, comprehensive chemical and mineralogical data are lacking, owing generally profound alteration vitreous material. To bridge information gap, enable reconstruct operation production chains a diachronic fashion, thirty-six glazed artefacts Qalaichi, Rabat, Hasanlu, Ziwiye, Chogha Zanbil, Susa Persepolis studied. The microstructural make-up phenomena glazes characterized by petrographic microscopy, back-scattered electron (BSE) imaging probe microanalysis (WDS-EPMA) on high-quality polished thin sections. Pristine glaze domains at all sites show plant ash soda-lime glass compositions indicate use regionally specific halophyte species soda production. A distinct feature composition white turquoise Ziwiye is employment sodium-antimonate as colourant opacifier. Inter-diffusion dissolution-precipitation identified temporally contrasting processes.