A fragment of a glass bowl unearthed on Okinoshima island, a UNESCO World Heritage site here, came from ancient Persia during the Sassanian dynasty (226-651), researchers announced March 1. Munakata Taisha shrine teamed up with experts and used X-ray imaging to analyze the artifact as well as small pebble-shaped "kirikodama" ornaments made of glass. They date to the late fifth century to seventh century. Okinoshima island, located off Munakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, is considered by the shrine to be so sacred that only males can visit and only if they engage in purification rituals before coming ashore. The island has yielded...