The study of the conservation and restoration of Roman blown glass cosmetic
bottles from Rhodes, began with the gathering of historical - archaeological data and
continued with the technological data of these archaeological objects. This important
data about the ancient technology helps us to understand the corrosion forms that
might have happened to these objects.
These forms of corrosion were confirmed macroscopically and microscopically.
They included: dulling, crizzling, lamination, iridescences, pitting and crusting with
biological deposits in almost all cases. The forms of corrosion were usually caused
by the presence of humidity, temperature variations, the crystallization of soluble
salts in the excavation area and also during the storage of these objects.
After these forms of corrosion were identified, the appropriate conservation and
restoration methods were chosen to deal with the archaeological vessels. These include
the analyses of the material’s structure and deposits, the pre-consolidation of
the corroded surfaces, the taking away of these deposits, consolidation of the corroded
surfaces and finally the joining of the broken pieces. Lastly, the appropriate
conditions for the storage and exhibition of these glass vessels were suggested.