Babylonian Glassmaking

Babylonian glassmaking, dating back to around 1700 BCE, involved melting silica-rich sand combined with fluxes like plant ash to produce glass. They heated these ingredients in clay crucibles or small furnaces until molten, then shaped the liquid into vessels or decorative objects. The Babylonians sometimes added colorants or metallic oxides to create tinted or decorative glass. Their techniques laid foundational principles for glass production, emphasizing control of heating and materials to produce durable, versatile glassware, reflecting advanced craftsmanship and understanding of material properties for their time.