ROMAN AND LATE ANTIQUE GLASS BOTTLES IN THE ADANA MUSEUM COLLECTION: AN EVALUATION OF TYPOLOGY AND PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14795/jaha.13.1.2026.1511Keywords:
Adana, Cilicia, glass, Roman period, free-blowing technique, mould-blowing techniqueAbstract
This study examines the glass bottles in the Adana Museum collection, dated to the Roman and Late Antique periods, from typological, technical, and chronological perspectives. Dated between the 1st and 10th centuries AD, these examples reflect the formal diversity, technological development, and aesthetic approach of the Eastern Mediterranean glassmaking tradition. Within the scope of the study, the distribution of free-blowing and mould-blowing techniques within the collection was assessed; it was determined that mould-blowing is more prominent in the earlier phases, whereas free-blowing becomes more evident in the later phases.
The collection presents a wide typological range, including examples such as oinochoai, amphoriskoi, gutti, aryballoi, as well as bottles with spiral and zigzag decoration, ribbed forms, and long-necked and globular-bodied specimens. Comparative analyses indicate that a significant portion of the assemblage reflects Eastern Mediterranean glass-production traditions. However, the distinctive qualities observed in formal details and technical features indicate the presence of an active local glass-production tradition in the region of Cilicia. These findings demonstrate that the region was not merely an area of commercial distribution, but also a centre where production activities were maintained.
The data obtained indicate that Cilicia assumed a central role within Eastern Mediterranean glass production and trade networks throughout the Roman and Late Antique periods. The Adana Museum glass collection constitutes a significant representative assemblage documenting the technical and typological development of this process; the study offers new archaeological and typological assessments regarding Cilicia’s position in the history of glassworking.
Downloads
References
ADIBELLİ 2006
Adıbelli, İ.A., Tarsus Geç Roma Seramiği. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Ankara University, Institute of Social Sciences (Ankara).
ADIBELLİ 2007
Adıbelli, İ.A., Tarsus Roma Hamamı Kazısı. 15. Müze Çalışmaları ve Kurtarma Kazıları Sempozyumu Bildirileri (Ankara: Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı), 25–40.
ADIBELLİ 2013
Adıbelli, İ.A., Tarsus Roma Hamamı Cam Fırınları. In: Gençler Güray, Ç. (ed.), Kaunos–Kbid Toplantıları 2: Anadolu Cam Çalışmaları Sempozyumu, 17–20 Haziran 2010 (Ankara: Bilgin Kültür Sanat Yayınları), 93–100.
AKAT/FIRATLI/KOCABAŞ 1984
Akat, Y., Fıratlı, N., Kocabaş, H. Hüseyin Kocabaş Koleksiyonu Cam Eserler Kataloğu (İstanbul: Arkeoloji va Sanat Yayınları).
AKKURNAZ 2016
Akkurnaz, F.B., Eski Yunan ve Roma Kaplar – İşlevler (İstanbul: Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yayınları).
AKKUŞ KOÇAK/ARSLAN 2024
Akkuş Koçak, E./Arslan, M., Ankara’da Özel Bir Koleksiyondan Cam Yağ ve Koku Şişeleri / Glass Oil and Perfume Bottles from a Private Collection in Ankara, Septem Artes 2, 42–59.
ANTONARAS 2017
Antonaras, A., Glassware and Glassworking in Thessaloniki: 1st Century BC – 6th Century AD. Archaeopress Roman Archaeology 27 (Oxford: Archaeopress).
ANTONARAS 2025
Antonaras, A., Ancient Glass in the J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum).
ATİLLA 2015
Atilla, C., Roman Glass Vessels in Sivas Museum [Sivas Müzesi'ndeki Roma Dönemi Cam Vazoları], Arkeoloji Dergisi XX, 161–179.
AUTH 1976
Auth, S.H., Ancient Glass at the Newark Museum from the Eugene Schaefer Collection of Antiquities (Newark: Newark Museum).
AYDIN TAVUKÇU 2007
Aydın Tavukçu, Z., Parion Güney Nekropolü'nden Bir Grup Cam Eser, Atatürk Üniversitesi Güzel Sanatlar Fakültesi Sanat Dergisi 12, 145–161.
BARKÓCZI 1996
Barkóczi, L., Antike Gläser: Monumenta Antiquitatatis Extra Fines Hungariae Reperta. Monumenta Antiquitatis Extra Fines Hungariae 5 (Budapest).
CANAV 1985
Canav, Ü., Türkiye Şişe ve Cam Fabrikaları A.Ş. Cam Eserler Koleksiyonu (İstanbul: Çağdaş Yayıncılık ve Basın Sanayi).
CARON/ZOÏTOPOÚLOU 2008
Caron, B./Zoïtopoúlou, E.P., Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Collection of Mediterranean Antiquities – Volume 1: The Ancient Glass / La verrerie antique. Monumenta Graeca et Romana 13 (Leiden – Boston: Brill).
CLAIRMONT 1963
Clairmont, C.W., The Glass Vessels. In: The Excavations at Dura Europos: Final Report, IV (Pt. V) (Locust Valley, NY: J.J. Augustin).
EISEN 1927
Eisen, G.A., Glass: Its Origin, History, Chronology, Technic and Classification to the Sixteenth Century 2 (New York: W.E. Rudge).
EKER 2017
Eker, F., Kumdan Sızan Kültürler: Kahramanmaraş Müzesi’ndeki Cam Kaplar (Kahramanmaraş: Kahramanmaraş Büyükşehir Belediyesi).
EKER 2018
Eker, F., Antikçağ’da Cam Kap Formlarının Kullanımı Üzerine Bir Deneme, Gaziantep University Journal of Social Sciences 17/4, 1248–1261.
ERTEN 1999
Erten, E., Kilikia'da Cam, Olba II (Özel Sayı) 1, 169–183, pls. 35–37.
ERTEN 2003
Erten, E., Marmaris Müzesinden Üç Uzun Cam Unguentarium, Belleten 67/249, 403–408.
ERTEN 2015
Erten, E., Olba Kült Alanlarından Cam Buluntular, Seleucia ad Calycadnum. Olba Kazısı Serisi V, 11–30.
ERTEN 2018
Erten, E., Silifke Müzesi Cam Kataloğu (Ankara: Bilgin Kültür Sanat).
FLEMING 1996
Fleming, S.J., Early Imperial Roman Glass at the University of Pennsylvania Museum, Expedition 38/2, 13–36.
GEYİK KARPUZ 2014
Geyik Karpuz, G., Adıyaman, Elâzığ, Hatay, Mardin, Şanlıurfa Müzelerinde Bulunan İslami Dönem Cam Eserler. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Atatürk University, Institute of Social Sciences, Department of Art History (Erzurum).
GORIN-ROSEN 2009a
Gorin-Rosen, Y., Glass Vessels from the Northwestern Cemetery. In: Itkis, S. (ed.), Paneas IV: The Aqueduct and the Northern Suburbs (Israel Antiquities Authority Reports 40), (Jerusalem: Israel Antiquities Authority), 135–138.
GORIN-ROSEN 2009b
Gorin-Rosen, Y., The Glass Vessels from Strata 9–6. In: Getzov, N./Avshalom-Gorni, D./Gorin-Rosen, Y./Stern, E. J./Tatcher, A./Syon, D., Horbat ‘Uza, Volume II, Final Report of the 1991 Excavations. IAA Reports 42 (Jerusalem), 78-98.
GROSSMANN 2002
Grossmann, R.A., Ancient Glass: A Guide to the Yale Collection (New Haven: Yale University Art Gallery).
GÜRLER 2000
Gürler, B. Tire Müzesi Cam Eserleri (Ankara: T. C. Kültür Bakanlığı).
HANAR 2018
Hanar, E., Diyarbakır Müzesi’ndeki Cam Kaplar. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Atatürk University, Institute of Social Sciences (Erzurum).
HARDEN 1936
Harden, D.B., Roman Glass from Karanis: Found by the University of Michigan Archaeological Expedition in Egypt, 1924–1929. University of Michigan Studies, Humanistic Series XLI (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press).
HAYES 1975
Hayes, J.W., Roman and Pre-Roman Glass in the Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto: Royal Ontario Museum).
HOFF et alii 2014
Hoff, M./Can, B./Townsend, R./Erdoğmuş, E./Howe, T., The Antiochia Ad Cragum Archaeological Research Project: 2014 Season. 37. Kazı Sonuçları Toplantısı III (Erzurum: Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı), 581–595.
HÖPKEN 2010
Höpken, C., Glas in der Kommagene – Funde aus der Felsnekropole von Perrhe. In: Drauschke, J./Keller, D. (eds.), Glas in Byzanz – Produktion, Verwendung, Analysen (Mainz: Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum), 153–164.
HÖPKEN/ÇAKMAKLI 2015
Höpken, C./Çakmaklı, Ö.D., Fragile Splendour: Glass in the Medusa Collection in Gaziantep = Narin Pırıltı: Gaziantep Medusa Cam Koleksiyonu (Bonn: Dr. Rudolf Habelt GmbH).
ISINGS 1957
Isings, C. Roman Glass from Dated Finds (Groningen – Djakarta).
ISRAELI 1998
Israeli, Y., The Wonders of Ancient Glass at the Israel Museum, Jerusalem (Jerusalem: Israel Museum).
KEIL/WILHELM 1931
Keil, J./Wilhelm, A., Denkmäler aus dem Rauhen Kilikien. Monumenta Asiae Minoris Antiqua III (Manchester: Manchester University Press).
KUNINA 1997
Kunina, N. Ancient Glass in the Hermitage Collection (St. Petersburg: ARS Publisher).
LIGHTFOOT 1989
Lightfoot, C.S., A Catalogue of Glass Vessels in Afyon Museum. BAR International Series 530 (Oxford: BAR Publishing).
LIGHTFOOT 2001
Lightfoot, C.S., Greek and Roman Art. In: Bernstein, J. (ed.), Ars Vitraria: Glass in The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art), 18–24.
LIGHTFOOT 2005
Lightfoot, C.S., Glass Finds at Amorium, Dumbarton Oaks Papers 59, 173–181.
LIGHTFOOT 2007
Lightfoot, C.S. Ancient Glass in National Museums Scotland (Edinburgh: National Museums Scotland Enterprises Ltd.).
LIGHTFOOT 2013
Lightfoot, C.S., Metropolitan Müzesi, Cesnola Koleksiyonu’nda Yeralan Kıbrıs Cam Eserleri. In: Ç. Gençler Güray (ed.), Kaunos/Kbid Toplantıları 2: Anadolu Antik Cam Araştırmaları Sempozyumu (Ankara: Bilgin Kültür Sanat), 83–92.
LIGHTFOOT 2017
Lightfoot, C.S., The Cesnola Collection of Cypriot Art: Ancient Glass (London: Yale University Press).
LIGHTFOOT 2021
Lightfoot, C.S., Ancient Glass in the Moore Collection. In: Harvey, M.H. (ed.), Collecting Inspiration: Edward C. Moore at Tiffany & Co. (New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art).
LIGHTFOOT/ARSLAN 1992
Lightfoot, C.S./Arslan, M., Anadolu Antik Camları: Yüksel Erimtan Koleksiyonu (Ankara).
MORIN-JEAN 1922–1923
Morin-Jean, La Verrerie en Gaule Sous l’Empire Romain (Paris: Corbeil).
OLCAY 2001
Olcay, B.Y., Ancient Glass Vessels in Eskişehir Museum, Anatolian Studies 51, 147–158.
OLIVER 1980
Oliver, Jr., A. Ancient Glass in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (Pittsburgh: Carnegie Institute).
ÖZET 1987
Özet, A., Ankara Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi’ndeki Cam Örnekleri ile Antik Çağda Cam Yapımı. Belleten 55/200, 587–609.
SOROKINA 1987
Sorokina, N.P., Glass Aryballoi (First–Third Centuries A.D.) from the Northern Black Sea Region. Journal of Glass Studies 29, 40–46.
STERN 1989a
Stern, E. M., The Production of Glass Vessels in Roman Cilicia, Kölner Jahrbuch für Vor- und Frühgeschichte 22, 121–128.
STERN 1989b
Stern, E.M., Glass Vessels Exhibited in the Bölge Museum Adana, Belleten 53/207-208, 583–596.
STERN 1999
Stern, E.M., Roman Glassblowing in a Cultural Context, Journal of Glass Studies 41, 443–444.
TAŞTEMÜR 2018
Taştemür, E., Antik Cam Fırınları ve Anadolu Örnekleri, TÜBA-AR 22, 203-229.
TAŞTEMÜR/GÜRLER 2019
Taştemür, E./Gürler, B., Doğu Trakya Müzeleri Cam Eserleri = Glass Works in the East Thrace Museums (Ankara: Gazi Kitabevi).
TEK 2003
Tek, A.T., Prismatic Glass Bottles with Greek Inscriptions from Arycanda in Lycia. In: Annales du 15e Congrès de l’Association Internationale pour l’Histoire du Verre (New York – Corning), 82–86.
TEK 2005
Tek, A.T., Antik Dönemde Anadolu’da Cam Üretimi, Seres 5, 108–123.
TEMÜR/ÖZBİLGİN 2019
Temür, A./Özbilgin, Ö., Samsun Müzesi Koleksiyonundan Bir Grup Cam Şişe, TÜBA-KED Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi Kültür Envanteri Dergisi 20, 41–72.
VESSBERG/WESTHOLM 1956
Vessberg, O./Westholm, A., The Swedish Cyprus Expedition IV.3: The Hellenistic and Roman Periods in Cyprus (Stockholm: The Swedish Cyprus Expedition).
VON SALDERN 1980
Von Saldern, A., Glass 500 B.C. to A.D. 1900: The Hans Cohn Collection (Los Angeles – Mainz: Philipp von Zabern).
WEINBERG 1988
Weinberg, G.D. (ed.), Excavations at Jalame: Site of a Glass Factory in Late Roman Palestine (Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press).
WHITEHOUSE 1997
Whitehouse, D., Roman Glass in the Corning Museum of Glass I (New York: Hudson Hills).
WHITEHOUSE 2010
Whitehouse, D., Islamic Glass in The Corning Museum of Glass, Volume One: Objects with Scratch Engraved and Wheel Cut Ornament (Corning, NY: Corning Museum of Glass / Hudson Hills Press).
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 JOURNAL OF ANCIENT HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal, we use CC BY-NC-ND license (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs) wich only allowing others to download your works and share them with others as long as they credit you, but they can’t change them in any way or use them commercially.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
