FUSTAT GLASS OF THE EARLY ISLAMIC PERIODFINDS EXCAVATED BY THE AMERICAN RESEARCH CENTER IN EGYPT 1964-1980
George T Scanlon and Ralph Pinder-Wilson

The glass finds are from the nine seasons of archaeological excavations carried out under the direction of Professor G T Scanlon at Fustat in south Cairo between 1964 and 1981. These were recovered under stratified conditions thus supplying dating sequences for glass from about 700 AD to the end of the twelfth century when Fustat ceased to be occupied. Glass of the later period—the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries—is represented by surface finds.

These finds from Fustat are a principal source for the history of the glass industry in Egypt from the Umayyad period down to the Fatimid caliphate. All the glass techniques known to the Islamic world are represented and show the manifold uses of glass ranging from objects of everyday use to high quality products for the luxury market. Although the Fustat glass comes mainly from local glass houses, the collection includes pieces imported from other centres in the Islamic world.

Professor Scanlon is Professor of Islamic Art and Architecture in the American University at Cairo, Ralph Pinder-Wilson was formerly Deputy Keeper in the Department of Oriental Antiquities, the British Museum.

260 x 200mm, 128 pages (approx.)
many drawings, black and white plates, 4 pages colour
paperback ISBN 1 901435 04 0
£18.00 2001 Altajir World of Islam Trust

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