History
While under Roman rule the raw materials and manufacturing methods of Northern Europe were those of the Roman tradition, using the mineral Natron. For several centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire around 450 AD, recycling of Roman glass formed the major part of the local industry and glass-making skills declined. With the rise of the Carolingian Empire in NW Europe around 800 AD increasing demand for glass and problems with supply of traditional raw materials, together with an imperial desire to emulate the more sophisticated culture of the Islamic Empire (which was producing high quality glass) led to experimentation with new raw materials and the development of a totally new glass-making technology. Archaeologically, numerous medieval glass-houses have been found in western and central Europe, particularly in the mountains of Germany. Due to later reuse of the building material, most are poorly preserved, but there is evidence that both glass-making and working were often done on the same site.
Read more about this topic: Forest Glass
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“As I am, so shall I associate, and so shall I act; Caesar’s history will paint out Caesar.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“It may be well to remember that the highest level of moral aspiration recorded in history was reached by a few ancient Jews—Micah, Isaiah, and the rest—who took no count whatever of what might not happen to them after death. It is not obvious to me why the same point should not by and by be reached by the Gentiles.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)
“The principle office of history I take to be this: to prevent virtuous actions from being forgotten, and that evil words and deeds should fear an infamous reputation with posterity.”
—Tacitus (c. 55–117)