GLASS BANGLES IN THE BRITISH ISLES: A STUDY OF TRADE, RECYCLING AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE FIRST AND SECOND CENTURIES AD

Glass bangles are found in southern England and Wales from the mid-first century ad become common north of Scotland late first century, before their numbers decline a later. British develop at time change, as Roman glassmaking practices were introduced across large areas Britain, blown, transparent, colourless naturally-coloured glassware became increasingly popular. In many communities, however, there was still demand for strongly coloured opaque glass, including bangles, glassworkers devised ways extending supplies glass. This study is based on over one hundred fifty analyses bangle fragments sites Wales, northern Scotland, spanning this transitional period. The makers recycled glass imported vessels, probably beads bangle-making waste, to supplement fresh novel methods used modify extend may derive pre-Roman bead-making industries, made use widely available materials, smithing hammerscale possibly plant ashes. results show shifting balance indigenous influences different types, depending when where they made, by whom.