Spectroscopic characterization of amphorae from the 8th to the 7th c. BCE found at the Almaraz settlement in Almada, Portugal

Ferreira, L. F. Vieira; Barros, Luı́s de; Machado, I. Ferreira; González, Antonio Blanco; Pereira, M.F.C.; Casimiro, Tânia Manuel

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.07.005

Cited by 5 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…One should emphasize that in the Lisbon region, Miocene clays can be found in the North and South of the Tagus River, while Pliocene clays only exist on the South bank [17,[21][22][23]. In the region of Santarém, Pliocene formations exhibit a more diversified composition, including predominantly illitic clayey facies, occasionally with calcretes (calcite bearing formations) [18].…”

Section: The Ceramic Sample Set -Selection Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tables 2 and 3 present R values. R is defined by: R = (SiO2 + Al2O3 + K2O) / CaO and was used in previous papers of our group [19][20][21][22], to quantify the relative amounts of the structural components of the ceramic pastes, (SiO2 + Al2O3 + K2O), related to calcium fractions (CaO). As one could expect, all R values are characteristic of the Pliocene-like clays [19], and no significant difference exists between Santarém and the European cases.…”

Section: Ceramic Bodiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An Archaeometric Study of Lead Glazed Medieval Ceramics (13th–14th Century) from Santarém, Portugal

Vieira Ferreira,

Casimiro,

Boavida

et al. 2024

Preprint

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The ceramic sherds from approximately 20 samples of lead-glazed tableware, recovered from diverse archaeological sites, including three repurposed storage pits transformed into dumpsters within the medieval city of Santarém (13th-14th century), underwent a meticulous examination. This investigation utilized techniques such as micro-Raman, ground state diffuse reflectance absorption, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopies, in addition to X-ray diffraction and stereomicroscopy. A parallel study was conducted on contemporaneous European ceramics (glazed sherds) sourced from archaeological sites dating back to the 13th-15th centuries in Saintonge (France), Ardenne, Zomergem, and Bruges (Belgium), as well as Surrey-Hampshire, Kingston, and Cheam (England). The colour of the ceramic bodies is predominantly white or whitish, with a few exhibiting a vivid red hue. Ceramic sherds with a light paste composition were likely crafted using kaolin clays as raw materials. Analyses of fabric, mineralogical, and elemental composition of the sherds suggest that the majority of Santarém's glazed ceramics were locally or regionally produced, potentially derived from a Pliocene kaolin-rich sand formation. However, this conclusion is not supported by the absence of discovered lead glaze kilns or workshops in Santarém for the late Middle Ages. A distinctive feature from the European workshop ceramics lies in the quartz temper content and fabric.

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Section: The Ceramic Sample Set -Selection Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ceramic Bodiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Archaeometric Study of Lead Glazed Medieval Ceramics (13th–14th Century) from Santarém, Portugal

Vieira Ferreira,

Casimiro,

Boavida

et al. 2024

Preprint

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show abstract

“…Previous compositional studies of pottery ceramic pastes and clay raw materials from the region of Lisbon enabled us to establish a limited number of clay sources and formulations being used in the Lisbon workshops, where most of the ceramic production in the country was located [19][20][21][22]. Pliocene ceramic pastes (highly siliceous) or Miocene ceramic pastes (with a high content of calcium carbonate) were detected [23].…”

Section: Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Heritage 2024, 7, FOR PEER REVIEW 5 One should emphasise that in the Lisbon region, Miocene clays can be found in the North and South of the Tagus River, while Pliocene clays only exist on the South bank [16,[21][22][23]. In the region of Santarém, Pliocene formations exhibit a more diversified composition, including predominantly illitic clayey facies, occasionally with calcretes (calcite-bearing formations) [17].…”

Section: Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Archaeometric Study of Lead-Glazed Medieval Ceramics (13th–14th Century) from Santarém, Portugal

Vieira Ferreira,

Casimiro,

Boavida

et al. 2024

Heritage

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Ceramic sherds from approximately 20 samples of lead-glazed tableware, recovered from diverse archaeological sites, including three repurposed storage pits transformed into dumpsters within the medieval city of Santarém (13th–14th century), underwent a meticulous examination. This investigation utilised techniques such as micro-Raman, ground-state diffuse reflectance absorption, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopies, in addition to X-ray diffraction and stereomicroscopy. A parallel study was conducted on contemporaneous European ceramics (glazed sherds) sourced from archaeological sites dating back to the 13th–15th centuries in Saintonge (France), Ardenne, Zomergem, and Bruges (Belgium), as well as Surrey–Hampshire, Kingston, and Cheam (England). The first premise for comparing the Santarem samples with European production locations was their frequent commercial relations with Portugal and the frequency of these productions being found in Portugal. The colour of the ceramic bodies is predominantly white or whitish, with a few exhibiting a vivid red hue. Analyses of the fabric, mineralogical, and elemental composition of the sherds suggest that the majority of Santarém’s glazed ceramics were locally or regionally produced, potentially derived from a Pliocene kaolin-rich sand formation. However, this conclusion is not supported by the absence of discovered lead glaze kilns or workshops in Santarém for the late Middle Ages.

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“…Additionally, the mineral content of the ancient amphorae presents archaeometric interest, e.g., the clay occurrence in various amphorae discovered in Alamaraz, Portugal. Different clay sediments identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) allow the proper identification of several amphora sources in antiquity [ 8 ]. Mineral fraction investigation has proven to be a key role in understanding the archaeometric status of amphorae.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2023

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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.

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Spectroscopic characterization of amphorae from the 8th to the 7th c. BCE found at the Almaraz settlement in Almada, Portugal

Cited by 5 publications

References 12 publications

An Archaeometric Study of Lead Glazed Medieval Ceramics (13th–14th Century) from Santarém, Portugal

An Archaeometric Study of Lead Glazed Medieval Ceramics (13th–14th Century) from Santarém, Portugal

An Archaeometric Study of Lead-Glazed Medieval Ceramics (13th–14th Century) from Santarém, Portugal

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

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