Minero-petrographic investigation on Roman pottery found in a dump in the workshop area of Cumae (southern Italy)

Verde, Maria; Bonis, Alberto De; D'Uva, Francesco; Guarino, Vincenza; Izzo, Francesco; Rispoli, Concetta; Borriello, Giovanni; Giglio, Marcelo; Iavarone, Stefano; Morra, Vincenzo Brescia

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2022.103376

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 49 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Wine residue would rapidly become dry just after the amphora fragment dump disposal (e.g., Fragments 1 and 3), while the olive oil on the other amphora fragments (e.g., Fragment 2) would remain liquid for long enough to facilitate a local spillage. This scenario regarding amphora fragment dumping is sustained by the data in the literature [ 41 , 48 , 49 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 59%

Material Evidence of Sediments Recovered from Ancient Amphorae Found at the Potaissa Roman Fortress

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Methods for material investigation are powerful tools that allow specialists to elucidate important aspects regarding ancient artifacts such as the Roman amphorae deposits discovered at Potaissa Fortress in Turda, Romania. Archeological debate states that the deposit contained olive oil and wine amphorae, but no material evidence has been presented until now. The current research is focused on the most representative large amphora fragments found in the Potaissa deposit, with a significant amount of sediment on their walls, to give archeologists the material proof to elucidate their debate. Sediment was collected from each fragment and subjected to complex analysis. XRD investigation combined with cross-polarized light microscopy demonstrated mineral particles such as quartz, clay (muscovite and traces of biotite), and calcite. Quartz and calcite particles have a rounded shape and diameters in a range of 20–200 µm, and clay particles have a lamellar shape and dimensions from 1 to 20 µm, a fact confirmed by SEM microscopy. Sample 2 presented a large amount of amorphous phase followed by Samples 1 and 3, with a low amount of organic phase. FTIR investigation confirms organic phase presence owing to strong absorption bands regarding C-H, C=O, and O-H chemical bonds related to aliphatic compounds in Sample 2, and to some decayed wine residue in Samples 1 and 3. EDS elemental analysis was used for organic particle identification in the amphora sediments and to obtain a correlation with their microstructure. GC–MS investigation showed volatile compounds related to wine residue for Samples 1 and 3 and decomposed fats for Sample 2. Tartaric and malic acid were identified by HPLC in Samples 1 and 3, which are wine biomarkers. The correlation of all experimental results concludes with no doubt that Amphora 2 contained olive oil and Amphorae 1 and 3 contained wine in ancient times.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 59%

Material Evidence of Sediments Recovered from Ancient Amphorae Found at the Potaissa Roman Fortress

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Discrete amounts of feldspar were also detected in all the samples, along with mica and scarce or low amount of clinopyroxene and quartz likely due to the presence of brick fragments [40]. Traces of hematite were observed in P7-1, P8-1, P15-1, and P16-1 related to the samples ascribable to the 1st century CE and P64-1 and P65-1 related to the samples of the 2nd century CE.…”

Section: Macroscopic Observations Pom and Xrpdmentioning

confidence: 85%

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

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This research is based on the characterization of ancient mortars from the Anfiteatro Flavio (Pozzuoli) dating back to the 1st and 2nd century CE through a multi-analytical approach involving macroscopic, mineralogical, petrographic, and chemical investigations. The goal that has been set is to deepen knowledge about mortar mix design, the provenance of used raw materials, and secondary minerogenetic processes that have occurred within ancient Roman mortars. Results show that: (i) raw materials for mortar preparation have a local provenance, i.e., Phlegraean Fields area; (ii) mortars can be considered as hydraulic; (iii) calcite presence could be due to a non-complete calcination process, an improper slaking or to exposition of materials to the subaerial environment; (iv) gypsum is due to calcite sulfation process; (v) halite presence is due to marine aerosol exposition. The achieved information testifies that, for at least two centuries, Roman builders considered the identified mortar mix as optimal for their buildings, but also contributes to the understanding of their technical skills and represents an important first step to planning future restoration operations.

show abstract

“…The Terra sigillata samples included in the analyzed dataset (35.75, 35.76, 27.77) were also compared with the composition of reference groups of Terra sigillata from Campania and central Italy (Grifa et al, 2019; Schneider & Zabehlicky‐Scheffenegger, 2016; Soricelli et al, 1994; Verde et al, 2022). The entire dataset was plotted in a ternary diagram Zr‐Nb*10‐Cr (Figure 8) confirming the affinity between the samples 35.75, 35.76, 27.77 and Calenian Terra sigillata from Guarino et al (2011) with the local clay raw material (CVR).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Minero‐petrographic characterization of fine ware from Cales (South Italy)

et al. 2023

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract79 samples of black glazed pottery, Terra sigillata, fine common ware, and production indicators were recovered in the archaeological site of Cales and investigated via a multi‐analytical program (polarized light microscopy, thermal analyses, XRPD, XRF, FESEM, FESEM‐EDS). Among the materials, finds of important production indicators, represented by welded pieces of black glazed pottery and spacers, attest a local production.Polarized light microscopy shows that the inclusions consist of feldspar, quartz, mica, calcite, and lithic fragments of both volcanic and sedimentary nature. Additional information about the mineralogical assemblage comes from the XRPD that revealed the presence of neoformed Ca‐silicates, indicating equivalent firing temperatures ranging from 750 to 1050°C.All the samples show a Ca‐rich character and an extreme compositional homogeneity, including the production indicators. The comparison with some Ca‐rich Campanian clay raw materials shows a greater affinity with the Mio‐Pliocene marine clay sediments of the Apennine sector, which include local clays. This allowed us to formulate the first hypotheses about clay sources used to produce fine pottery during the third century BCE to the early imperial period in Cales.

show abstract

Minero-petrographic investigation on Roman pottery found in a dump in the workshop area of Cumae (southern Italy)

Cited by 5 publications

References 49 publications

Material Evidence of Sediments Recovered from Ancient Amphorae Found at the Potaissa Roman Fortress

Material Evidence of Sediments Recovered from Ancient Amphorae Found at the Potaissa Roman Fortress

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

Minero‐petrographic characterization of fine ware from Cales (South Italy)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About