Archaeologists have uncovered the oldest glass kilns in the world, making it as a first evidence of glass production in Israel during the late Roman period.

The broken pieces of glass have been discovered near the city of Haifa, at the foot of Mount Carmel. These glass kilns are estimated to be 1600 years old, missing link in the production of Judean glass that was widely used in the Roman Empire during the fifth century.

Like Us on Facebook

The glass factory was discovered by accident last summer, during an excavation prior to work on the rail line led by Abdel Al-Salam Sa‘id. He noticed chunks of glass, a floor and a layer of ash inside a trench.

“We know from historical sources dating to Roman period that the Valley of ‘Akko was renowned for the excellent quality of sand located there, which was highly suitable for the manufacture of glass,” said Yael Gorin-Rosen, head curator of the Israel Antiquities Authority Glass Department.

The kilns had two compartments: a firebox for burning kindling to achieve a temperature of about 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit, and a chamber in which clean beach sand and salt were melted together for up to two weeks, until enormous chunks of raw glass were produced. Once the kilns cooled, the glass chunks were broken into smaller pieces and sold to workshops, where they were melted again to produce glassware. The final product was the light green Judean glass that was widely used in the Roman Empire, but it was not clear where it was produced.

In addition, archaeologists previously discovered fragments of an edict with maximum prices of goods set by the fourth-century Roman emperor Diocletian. This edict listed prices for two kinds of glass: light green, less expensive, Judean glass from Israel and Alexandrian glass from Egypt.

The latest findings show that Israel was likely an important aspect in the Early Roman period. Glass was used in almost every household from the Roman period onward and was also used when constructing public buildings; it was used for windows, mosaics and lighting fixtures.

It will be exhibited to the public in a few months when it will be shown at the Carmel Zvulun Regional High School in the Zevulun Regional Council.

Tagsoldest glass factory, Israel, oldest glass factory Israel, Judean glass, Roman period