[SunkenCiv]

Simplified graphic showing long-shore transport of sands from the mouth of the Nile up along the Levantine coast (today Israel). Glass factories at Jalame and Apollonia used the sands in glass production during Roman and Byzantine times. Along the way North, some of the zircon minerals contained in the sands drop out leading to the different hafnium isotopic compositions of Egyptian and Levantine glass. Also shown is the location of Jerash, Jordan.
Credit: UrbNet, Aarhus University

[dp0622]

I knew it

[Nateman]

Hafnium was one of the last natural elements discovered. It is very similar to Zirconium. Hafnium has so many electrons that the innermost move at near light speed around the nucleus. This shrinks those orbits so the atom is nearly the same size as its chemical cousin Zirconium.

[datura]

” large amounts of Roman glass are known to have been made in Palestine

Palestine???

[tet68]

some of the zircon minerals contained in the sands drop out leading to the different hafnium isotopic compositions of Egyptian and Levantine glass

Wonder if this was because of middle men adulterating
the supply as it traveled up the coast?

[bunkerhill7]

Egypt was made famous for their cups when Julius Caesar said to Cleopatra, “Your asp is glass!”

[Ezekiel]

the rare element hafnium

I see the problem right there.

There's no shortage of wholenium.

Along the way North, some of the zircon minerals contained in the sands drop out..

Well then, no dipolma for you!