Archaeological ceramic amphorae from underwater marine environments: Influence of firing temperature on salt crystallization decay

Abstract

Non-desalinated and desalinated fragments of Iberian, Italic and Tarraconensian amphorae sherds, found in different underwater marine environments, were compared to determine both their state of conservation and the decay caused by salt crystallization. Polarizing light and fluorescence optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, ion chromatography and mercury intrusion porosimetry tests were conducted on the samples. Non-desalinated samples or samples in which desalination was not wholly effective exhibit a variety of signs of degradation, especially in those samples fired at lower firing temperature. Sherds fired at higher temperatures have lower surface area and less connected porosity, which entail a lower absorption of soluble salts containing water and eventually less decay. The composition and texture reached with the firing temperature is a key factor on salt crystallization decay and hence on the durability of these artifacts. This should be taken into account during desalination procedures that have to be optimized in order to be successful.

Technological fingerprints of the Early Bronze Age clay figurines from Tell Mardikh-Ebla (Syria)

“…In the case of Ebla figurines, macroscopic observation showed a colour of the ceramic body ranging from grey-beige to red-brown; such feature is consistent with a firing of a calcareous paste in oxidizing conditions [41][42][43][44].…”

Épített Örökségünk Környezeti Hatásra Történő Károsodása Zsolnay Épületkerámiák Példáján

“…Elsősorban Európa egyes mediterrán országaiban (pl. Olaszország, Spanyolország, Görögország) kutatott téma az üvegek, mázak és mázas kerámia anyagok károsodási jelenségei, ahol a tenger közvetett hatása révén intenzívebb só kiválás tapasztalható a felületeken (Aulinas et al, 2009;Camuffo, 1986;Lopez-Arce et al, 2013;Messiga és Riccardi, 2006).…”

Temporary Consolidation of Marine Artifact Based on Polyvinyl Alcohol/Tannic Acid Reversible Hydrogel

“…The development of marine technology facilitates the detection of underwater archaeological artifacts [ 1 ]. A notable quantity of marine relics, such as shipwrecks, metal artifacts [ 2 ], lacquerware [ 3 ], ceramics [ 4 , 5 ], and jade, have been discovered. These archaeological relics record ancient society’s information of business, transport, and culture.…”