Roman glass-making furnaces discovered in Egypt’s Delta

Glass-making furnaces dating back to the Roman Egypt period (30B.C.-395A.D.,) have been unearthed in Egypt’s Delta archaeological site of Tell Mutubis, the Antiquities Ministry stated Friday.

The discovery was made during a magnetic gradient survey carried out by a joint mission of the UK’s Durham University, directed by Dr. Penny Wilson, and Egypt’s Mansoura University

“Several glass shards, mortar and plaster pieces, limestone tiles in addition to glass pots, potsherd, and eroded coins were discovered in the site. These finds indicate that furnaces to manufacture glass existed in this area,” head of the mission Dr. Penny Wilson was quoted in the statement.

The detailed breakdown and the specialized studies, which were conducted on the pots and coins discovered at the site, confirm that it dates back to ancient Egypt’s late Roman era, Wilson said.

A large number of red-brick housing units, storerooms, limestone-tiled floors along with walls covered with lute were also excavated in the area, Wilson said, adding that “the finds are significant as they indicate the cultural transitions during the Roman period to the early Islamic period, which started in the mid seventh century.”

According to Wilson, the site of Tell Mutubis, located in Egypt’s Delta governorate of Kafr el-Sheikh near Rosetta, is strongly believed to have been abandoned during Egypt’s Islamic era (641-1952.)

Source:

AncientPages.com