Chinese and Western Cultural Exchange in Archaeology: A Focus on Glassware

By: Shuo Geng, Peking University, China, Noble Group Fellow

My project at the Albright Institute during the academic year, 2011-2012 was entitled “Chinese and Western Cultural Exchange in Archaeology：Focusing on Western Glassware Found in China from the First Century B.C. to the Sixth Century A.D.” It was during this period that China initiated wide-ranging cultural contacts with the western world, resulting in large numbers of western artifacts being found in China at sites and in tombs, such as gold, silver, and glass ware, as well as pottery, brass objects, textiles, seals, and coins, etc. with glassware being one of the most important of these finds. Previous research on glass-ware has achieved significant results. Studies by Chinese scholars, however, have generally lacked in-depth research on the primary data of Western ancient glassware.

In my study, I addressed three topics: 1. The provenance, date and trading route of western glassware found in China in this period; 2. The impact of western glassware on living styles, aesthetic orientation, and burial customs of ancient Chinese people; 3. The influence of foreign glassmaking technology on Chinese local production of glassware. My research included examining archaeological excavation reports, catalogues of collections, and publications on ancient western glass relating to Mesopotamia, the Near East, Iran, and Europe, especially dealing with the earlier evidence up through the Roman period. I also visited a number of museums in order to examine specific objects relating to my research. I then turned to a study of the relationship between western glass found in China from the first century B.C. to the sixth century A.D. and identical or similar objects found in the western world.

My research methods focused on establishing the archaeological context of objects using inscriptions for dating and ownership; and the typology of sites, mainly tombs. Normally, the date of glassware found at a site was earlier than the context in which it was found at the site. In my study, priority was given to excavated artifacts as opposed to objects found in private collections. Also, included in my research was an examination of scientific analysis, that is, mainly chemical analyses.

The main conclusions were that the origins of all of the glassware in my study can be primarily assigned to the Rome – Byzantium period, and to the Sasanian Empire. While the origin of several artifacts could be narrowed down to specific locations, the location of the production sites of most of the artifacts could not be identified. I also concluded that the three main channels for introducing western glassware to China in this period were the desert-oasis route, the prairie route, and maritime activities.

Glassware from the western world, which became common with the invention of new blowing techniques, was treated as a rare treasure when introduced to China. These artifacts were mainly excavated at capital cities or in nearby regions during different Chinese dynasties. Most of the artifacts were found in tombs of previously high-ranking individuals.

The Roman and Sasanian glassware represents a wide range of types, while those found in China are few in number and type with bowls and beakers representing the majority. This indicates that high-ranking individuals in ancient China favored utensils. This is supported by documents recording glassware imported from the West which at that time most often mentioned bowls.

Thus, one of my main conclusions during my time at the Albright as a Noble Group Fellow, was that under the influence of immigrants, the technology of blown-glass was transmitted to China probably in the fifth century A.D.; and soda-lime glass, the traditional type of western glass, appeared in China not later than the end of sixth century A. D.

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this blog or found by following any link on this blog. ASOR will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information. ASOR will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information. The opinions expressed by Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of ASOR or any employee thereof.