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Written sources indicate that Alexandria in Egypt was a leading producer of Roman glass. Furthermore, archaeological finds have provided evidence for the local production of drawn glass and gold‐in‐glass beads, which were distributed throughout the world. In this study, we present an analysis of the chemical composition of more than two hundred glass objects from the Roman (2nd–3rd/4th century ce) and Late Antique (4th/5th–7th century ce) glass bead workshops located at Kom el‐Dikka in Alexandria. This study is based on the results of portable X‐ray fluorescence (pXRF) analyses carried out on raw glass, bead semi‐products, products and waste from both periods. Additionally, the glass chemistry of some Islamic (8th–12th century ce) beads found at the site has been analysed.Despite the limitations of the method, the vast majority of samples exhibited compositions confirming their general dating and Egyptian origin. Remarkably, a single bead was made of high‐alumina glass and appeared to be an import from India, possibly a remnant of the Indo‐Pacific glass bead route that connected Red Sea ports and Europe in Late Antiquity. In addition, we offer a new analytical approach to the method that has potential to enhance the value of pXRF in the analysis of archaeological glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature that assesses various instrumental techniques applicability to investigate airborne particulate matters chemical composition inside museum environments. This study includes a range of techniques (XRF, SEM-EDS, LA-ICP-MS, FTIR, Raman, GC-MS) and emphasizes the importance of utilizing matrix-matched reference materials for precise analysis. Each technique provides a valuable approach to understanding the chemical nature of airborne particles. XRF allows for fast determination of elemental composition, while SEM-EDS allows for observation of particle morphology and elemental detection. LA-ICP-MS facilitates the identification of major, minor, and trace elements present in collected samples. Both Raman spectroscopy and FTIR provide insight into the chemical compounds present. Identification of volatile compounds is achieved using GC-MS. This review presents a cohesive understanding of the diverse methodologies used to understand the multifaceted composition of airborne particulate matter in museum settings. [Display omitted] • Growing awareness of the environment's influence on the museums collections. • Analysis of particulate matter (PM) in museums enables the identification of pollutants. • Assessment of PMs impact on artworks. • Development of strategies to protect cultural artefacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]