IGATO · The introduction of the glaze in al-Andalus: technological waves and Oriental influences
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2016-09-15 → 2018-09-14
- EU contribution
- €170,122
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
The introduction of the glaze in al-Andalus: technological waves and Oriental influences
The project IGATO (The Introduction of the Glaze in al-Andalus: Technological waves and Oriental influences) has been devoted to develop a much-needed approach to the study of glazed ware production in al-Andalus (Spain and Portugal) during the Middle Ages (9th-13th centuries). Before developing the project, we knew that the glaze technology started in the Iberian Penisula after the 8th century. However, we did not know how the glaze technology was introduced and we were not able to distinguish when the technology reached the Western Mediterranean basin neither knew of the existence of several waves of arrival. Our approach has been multidisciplinary, including historical documentation, archaeological evidences, collection of glaze ceramics and chemical and petrographic analysis of the glazes and ceramic bodies. The project has been conducted at UPC-BarcelonaTech (Spain) and the analytical work has been carried out mainly at the UPC Laboratories. This proposal aimed to enrich the knowledge about glazed ceramic technology in the Western Islamic world through the following objectives: -Identification of the Mediterranean access routes -Localisation of the early Andalusi glaze workshops and their spread and distribution through the Iberian Peninsula and other lands -Study and analysis of the microstructure and composition of the glazes, the raw materials, colorants and decorative techniques used -Assessment of the possible Eastern and North African Islamic influences, both regarding shapes and decorative patterns and also technological aspects -The glazed ware in al-Andalus has been recognized as an element of political cohesion, social distinction and, of course, as a sign of religious identity A main social achievement has been the understanding of the relevance of the glaze technology as a part of our intangible heritage and as a means of culturalisation. Moreover, this project has brought a part of its history closer to the society, through the dissemination activities performed.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The project is designed to develop a much-needed approach to the study of glaze ware production in al-Andalus (Spain and Portugal) during the Middle Ages (9th-13th centuries). The introduction of the glaze in the Iberian Peninsula was a complex and long process involving several waves of technology transfer arriving from the Eastern to the Western Mediterranean basin, in different political periods.From the archaeometric analytical point of view, both petrographic and chemical, this proposal aims to enrich knowledge about glazed ceramic technology in the Western Islamic world: identification of the Mediterranean access routes, localization of Andalusi workshops and their spread and distribution through the Iberian Peninsula. The microstructure and composition of the glazes, the raw materials and the colorants and decorative techniques used, as well as, the introduction of Eastern patterns, will provide some hints. Finally, the glazed ware as an element of political cohesion and, of course, as a sign of religious identity in al-Andalus will also be assessed.To carry out the project successfully a methodology and a work plan with different phases, milestones and deliverables willbe developed. The key project is based on its interdisciplinary, applying archaeometric techniques to analysis of materialculture, in this case, the glaze technology, and hence establishing links between Social sciences and Science, with newapproaches to the interpretation of the history and archaeology of al-Andalus.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE CATALUNYA · BARCELONACoordinatorSpain
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union