• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.331-344
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• 2017

In this study, glass beads from Osan Sucheong were classified according to color into 10 groups. Among these groups, reddish brown, bluish green, and purplish blue were identified as the main colors of glass beads based on their large quantities in Osan Sucheong. The glass beads of these main colors were then classified according to their chemical compositions and and looked at the changing process. Based on the results, reddish brown and bluish green glass beads can both be divided into five types, and purplish blue glass beads can be divided into four types. Furthermore, according to continuity of type, it was identified as the main attributes that the reddish brown beads belong to two types, whereas the bluish green and purplish blue each belong to one type. Based on a review of primary attributes, beads of these three colors were identified as soda glass and high-alumina glass. The results indicate that these beads came from a single, consistent route of origin into the region. However, it is possible that glass beads came through various routes into Osan Sucheong in the $4^{th}$ century, because many types of chemical compositions have been detected for beads from this time.