Ancient Roman Mortars from Anfiteatro Flavio (Pozzuoli, Southern Italy): A Mineralogical, Petrographic and Chemical Study

Handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was applied to two studies of archaeological material at excavation sites in the Orvieto (Umbria), Italy geographic region. The short analysis times and wide range of detectable elements, covering both metals and nonmetals, achievable via LIBS played a central role in successfully exploring research questions specific to the analyzed artifacts. For one study, associations among Roman terraced walls at the Coriglia excavation site were established through comparisons among lime mortar elemental compositions measured in situ. New conclusions regarding construction phases were achieved, and agreement between handheld LIBS and handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry results was established. Secondly, Etruscan bucchero pottery was examined to explore relationships among fabric color (gray and black), excavation site (Cavità 254 and Crocifisso del Tufo), and elemental composition. Differences were found and are discussed as they relate to ceramic production and object purpose. Principal component analysis was applied for data analysis in both studies.

show abstract

“…Elements found to be present in the Coriglia Trench C wall mortars are typical of ancient Roman mortars. 21–23…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Handheld Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Field Archaeology: Characterization of Roman Wall Mortars and Etruscan Ceramics

Donais

Douglass

Ramundt

et al. 2023

Applied Spectroscopy Practica

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Generally, the compressive strength increased with SF and MK volume. This is attributed to the filling effect and high pozzolanic activity of SF and MK [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Pore Size Distribution and Water Transport of UHPC Using Low-Field NMR and MIP

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Water transport is vital for the durability of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) in engineering, but its absorption behavior requires further comprehension. This study investigates the impact of silica fume (SF) and metakaolin (MK) on water absorption in UHPC matrix with a high volume of limestone powder (LS) under two curing temperatures, and the variation in water transport with pore size obtained by low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR). Relations between cumulative water absorption with other properties were discussed, and the pore size distribution (PSD) measured by Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) was compared with that determined by LF-NMR. Results showed that MK outperformed SF in reducing water absorption in UHPC matrix, containing 30% LS under steam curing due to the synergistic effect between MK and LS. The incorporation of LS greatly affected the water absorption process of UHPC matrix. In samples without LS, capillary and gel pores absorbed water rapidly within the first 6 h and slowly from 6 h to 48 h simultaneously. However, in samples with 30% LS, gel pore water decreased during water absorption process due to the coarsening of gel pores. MK was able to suppress gel pore deterioration caused by the addition of a large amount of LS. Compared with PSD measured by MIP, NMR performed better in detecting micropores (<10 nm).

show abstract

“…A second point concerns the function of the structures in which the Campanian pozzolan was used. In fact, although the presence of pulvis puteolana in maritime infrastructures was evidenced in several contexts, its occurrence in the structural mortars of above-ground buildings appears common in the sites around the Bay of Naples [75][76][77][78][79], whereas it has not been clearly detected elsewhere so far, apart from some hints from North Africa to be investigated further [80,81]. However, the use in Nora of the pulvis puteolana in the mortars of the above-ground masonries of the Roman Temple-not related to the maritime environment-completely fulfills the aforementioned Vitruvian statement (2.6.1) regarding the use of the "prodigious powder" for structural reinforcement.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Volcanic Pozzolan from the Phlegraean Fields in the Structural Mortars of the Roman Temple of Nora (Sardinia)

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this paper, we discuss the presence of volcanic pozzolans in the structural mortars of the Roman Temple of Nora in Sardinia (3rd c. AD), represented by pyroclastic rocks (pumices and tuffs) employed as coarse and fine aggregates. The provenance of these materials from the Phlegraean Fields was highlighted through a multi-analytical approach, involving Polarized Light Microscopy on thin sections (PLM), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Quantitative Phase Analysis by X-ray Powder Diffraction (QPA-XRPD), and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) investigations. These volcanic pozzolans, outcropping in the Bay of Naples between Pozzuoli and the Vesuvius, are traditionally associated with the pulvis puteolana, the famous pozzolanic ash prescribed by Vitruvius and Pliny in order to confer strength and waterproofing capabilities to ancient concretes. This is the first evidence of the trade of this volcanic material from the Neapolitan area to Sardinia, starting at least by the Middle Imperial Age. The use of the pulvis puteolana in the Roman Temple of Nora seems primarily targeted to strengthen above-ground masonries, while waterproofing capabilities were not strictly pursued. This opens new questions about the construction reasons for which the demand and commercialization for this product was intended.

show abstract

Ancient Roman Mortars from Anfiteatro Flavio (Pozzuoli, Southern Italy): A Mineralogical, Petrographic and Chemical Study

Cited by 8 publications

References 39 publications

Handheld Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Field Archaeology: Characterization of Roman Wall Mortars and Etruscan Ceramics

Handheld Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Field Archaeology: Characterization of Roman Wall Mortars and Etruscan Ceramics

Characterization of Pore Size Distribution and Water Transport of UHPC Using Low-Field NMR and MIP

Volcanic Pozzolan from the Phlegraean Fields in the Structural Mortars of the Roman Temple of Nora (Sardinia)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About