Lähteklaas

Lähteklaas is a Finnish term used to describe the glass material that serves as the starting point for glass production or, in archaeological and museological contexts, the original glass fragments associated with a production site. The concept centers on unprocessed or minimally processed glass that is melted or reworked to form new glass products, as opposed to waste or heavily recycled glass.

In industrial practice, lähteklaas can refer to clean, high-purity glass ready for use as a feedstock in furnaces, or to cullet that meets specific quality criteria for primary batch preparation. The exact meaning can vary by company or context, but it generally denotes material that is intended for primary melting rather than post-consumer recycling or salvage from discarded items. The term is often discussed alongside batch materials, cullet, and recycling practices in glassmaking literature.

In archaeology and related fields, lähteklaas denotes the original glass fragments recovered from a workshop, kiln area, or production-related context. These fragments provide information about raw materials, manufacturing techniques, and chronology, and they help distinguish primary production debris from later reuse or secondary waste. Analyses may focus on composition, inclusions, and glazing remnants to infer the glassmaking technology of a particular site.

Overall, lähteklaas is a practical term reflecting the distinction between primary, source-grade glass used for manufacturing and other forms of glass material encountered in industrial or archaeological settings. Its exact usage depends on regional terminology and the specific domain of application.