Unveiling the secrets of Roman craftsmanship: mortars from Piscina Mirabilis (Campi Flegrei, Italy)

Rispoli, Concetta; Bonis, Alberto De; Esposito, Renata; Graziano, Sossio Fabio; Langella, Alessio; Mercurio, Mariano; Morra, Vincenzo; Cappelletti, Piergiulio

doi:10.1007/s12520-019-00964-8

Cited by 24 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Bulk densities of samples were within the range of 1.38 g/cm 3 to 1.57 g/cm 3 , whereas apparent densities were within the range of 2.57 g/cm 3 to 2.89 g/cm 3 . Relative volume curves are positively skewed and highlighted that pore radii mainly range between 5 and 100 nm.…”

Section: Porositymentioning

confidence: 87%

“…Selected fragments were dried in an oven for 24 h at 105 • C, and then analysed on Thermo Scientific equipment PASCAL 140 (ThermoFischer, Waltham, MA, United States) with a maximum injection pressure of 0.4 MPa and PASCAL 240 with a maximum injection pressure of 200 MPa. Total volume of pores of radius between 3.75 nm and 800 µm (expressed in mm 3 /g) was determined; open porosity (expressed in vol %); bulk density (g/cm 3 ); apparent density (g/cm 3 ), and specific surface (m 2 /g); graphical and numerical representation of the distribution of pore sizes were also determined.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mortars from group B can be identified as cocciopesto, a typical building technique used in ancient Rome for waterproof structures, such as cisterns and floors [3,26]. The binder/aggregate ratio is of about 1.5 (Table 3).…”

Section: Texture and Optical Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Particularly relevant is the presence of leucite-bearing scoriae in BG8 sample (Figure 3h) and the presence of crystal fragments of garnet in BG7 sample (Figure 3i). Mortars from group B can be identified as cocciopesto, a typical building technique used in ancient Rome for waterproof structures, such as cisterns and floors [3,26]. The binder/aggregate ratio is of about 1.5 (Table 3).…”

Section: Texture and Optical Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Department of Earth Sciences, Environment, and Resources (DiSTAR), Federico II University of Naples, for more than twenty years has been engaged in the application of mineralogical and petrographic studies of several ancient finds and monuments, especially of Campania region, such as Roman concrete, mortars, and ceramics, e.g., [3][4][5][6][7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Ancient Roman Mortars from Villa del Capo di Sorrento: A Multi-Analytical Approach to Define Microstructural and Compositional Features

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This research provides a characterization of ancient Roman mortars from “Villa del Capo di Sorrento” (commonly known as “Villa di Pollio Felice” or “Bagni della Regina Giovanna”). A deepened analysis of cementitious binding matrix and aggregates was conducted with the aims of determining possible sources of raw materials and the mix recipe, and to evaluate the minerogenetic secondary processes. Twenty samples taken from the Villa were investigated by means of a multi-analytical approach, including polarized optical microscopy on thin sections, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy analysis, energy dispersed spectrometry, simultaneous thermal analyses, and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Bedding mortars were made with slaked lime mixed with volcanic materials, whereas coating mortars were made adding to previous recipe as ceramic fragments. All samples were classified as hydraulic mortars. Cementitious binding matrix was characterized by gel-like C-A-S-H, calcite, hydrocalumite, and gypsum, deriving from lime/pozzolanic material. Geomaterials used for mortar production had a local origin. Pozzolanic materials, such as volcanic fragments, scoriae, pumice, and crystal fragments derived from both pyroclastic rocks of the Campi Flegrei district and from rocks of the Somma-Vesuvio complex; porosity test suggest that the products related to minerogenetic secondary processes, make mortars more resistant.

show abstract

Section: Porositymentioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Texture and Optical Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Texture and Optical Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Ancient Roman Mortars from Villa del Capo di Sorrento: A Multi-Analytical Approach to Define Microstructural and Compositional Features

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

High‐performing mortar‐based materials from the late imperial baths of Aquileia: An outstanding example of Roman building tradition in Northern Italy

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study provides the first detailed insight into the composition and properties of structural mortars used in a 4th-century AD bath complex in Aquileia, the emblematic center of Roman culture in Northern Italy. Eighteen mortars, taken from different structures of the site, and three stone samples from the vaulting opus caementicium have been analyzed adopting a multianalytical approach integrating optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The properties of the compounds are outstanding, as revealed by the formation of hydraulic phases (i.e., Al-tobermorite and AFm) in most of the samples: the waterproofing capabilities of cocciopesto mortars are remarkable, as revealed by the formation of anthropogenic Al-tobermorite (5.5 wt%) in pool coating samples; the lightweight of the vaults was guaranteed by the use of porous caementa and pozzolanic volcanic aggregates imported from the Gulf of Naples, as demonstrated by petro-mineralogical features and chemical analysis of major and trace elements. This is the first proven case of trade in these building materials to the north of the Italian peninsula. These outcomes shed new light on the robust technical expertise of local artisans in Aquileia and indicate that the Cisalpina province was by no means a peripheral reality in the Roman Empire, as far as mortar-based materials are concerned.

show abstract

Controlling of the Mechanical Behavior of Mass-Stabilized Organic Clay with Various Binders

Núñez,

Lotero,

Bastos

et al. 2024

Geotech Geol Eng

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Unveiling the secrets of Roman craftsmanship: mortars from Piscina Mirabilis (Campi Flegrei, Italy)

Cited by 24 publications

References 41 publications

Ancient Roman Mortars from Villa del Capo di Sorrento: A Multi-Analytical Approach to Define Microstructural and Compositional Features

Ancient Roman Mortars from Villa del Capo di Sorrento: A Multi-Analytical Approach to Define Microstructural and Compositional Features

High‐performing mortar‐based materials from the late imperial baths of Aquileia: An outstanding example of Roman building tradition in Northern Italy

Controlling of the Mechanical Behavior of Mass-Stabilized Organic Clay with Various Binders

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About