Structure, Properties, and Deterioration of Materials: Ceramics, Glass, Glazes

2 units · Graduate courses (200-299)

Lecture, three hours. General introduction to different types of ancient ceramic and glass materials. Relationship between composition (chemistry), structure (crystals, molecular arrangement, and microstructure), and properties of ceramics, glass, glazes. Nature of frit and faience deterioration explained using basic concepts from physics and chemistry. Chemical, optical, and structural properties. Deterioration phenomena, defects, and products of alteration of ceramics and vitreous artifacts. Hands-on examination of variety of samples and artifacts. Letter grading.