Post by @ninawillburger@social.anoxinon.de

@ninawillburger@social.anoxinon.de

2026-09-26 08:01 UTC

Fascinating world of ancient #glass: A #Roman glass model of a #boat, dating 2nd c. AD. It was found in St. Aldegund in a 4th-century woman's grave. Six of such boats are known. We don't know their function: Were they used as women's urinals, as components of water clocks and sundials, as drinking cups? Further information on glass boats: https://web.archive.org/web/20221013071226/https://www.cmog.org/article/roman-glass-boats?s=09 or https://www.academia.edu/resource/work/23687699 📷 GDKE Rheinland-Pfalz #archaeology #RomanArchaeology

Replies (4)

@dirkhaun@tinycities.net 2026-09-26 08:59

@ninawillburger@social.anoxinon.de „Urinal or drinking cup?“ 🙈

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@hhttg@mastodon.online 2026-09-26 09:10

@ninawillburger@social.anoxinon.de I don't know what it was used for. But damn, it looks great! What a craftsmanship.

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@amokura@mastodonapp.uk 2026-09-26 11:34

@ninawillburger@social.anoxinon.de The article dismisses their use as water clocks, sundials and drinking vessels for good reasons. Urinals seems unlikely as there is no easy way to hold them. But perfect and beautiful for holding your bits and pieces on the dressing table.

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@ferryoons@mastodon.scot 2026-09-27 09:00

@ninawillburger@social.anoxinon.de Whatever it was used for, it’s utterly beautiful. Maybe being beautiful is the only use it ever had. Maybe few remain because they’re fragile, which is part of their beauty. Sometimes archaeologists overthink things.

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