This work concerns the characterisation of a set of wall painting and stucco fragments
collected ... more This work concerns the characterisation of a set of wall painting and stucco fragments collected during a rescue excavation carried out in 2013 by the Soprintendenza Archeologica in the Monte d’Oro area (Rome). Due to the contextless archaeological situation, analyses were performed to obtain more information about the collected materials. A multi-analytical approach has been applied including spectroscopic (FTIR, Raman and visible reflectance analyses) and elemental analysis (SEM-EDS) techniques. The chromatic palette has been in this way disclosed evidencing the use of pigments such as cinnabar, Egyptian blue, red and yellow ochre and green earth, but also the simultaneous use of them. The presence of a decoration achieved by using a gold leaf has been highlighted also, indicating the preciousness of the decorations. The convenience and advantages linked to the use of portable instrumentation have been also evidenced.
This study deals with the identification of the degradation products present on some
Byzantine gl... more This study deals with the identification of the degradation products present on some Byzantine glasses coming from an archaeological excavation in Northern Tunisia. The main purpose of the present investigation is the identification of the products and the characterization of surface altered points, namely iridescent and black patinas, which are present on some selected glasses. Non-destructive techniques such as XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy), ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy) and LA-ICP-MS (Laser-Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry) are here exploited. SEM-EDS was employed to ascertain the morphological structure and the chemical composition of various points, apparently dierent, on the glass surfaces. Small area XPS was performed for identifying the elements present on the sample surface, for determining their chemical state and for establishing the atomic composition of the morphologically dierent regions. LA-ICP-MS was exploited to determine the chemical composition as far as the trace elements are concerned. The presence of iridescent patinas and of encrustations has been highlighted on the glass surfaces in correspondence to the altered areas: iridescent patinas are due to the fact that the glasses are depleted in alkali and alkaline earths. The incrustations resulted due to the presence of calcium carbonates, and/or oxyhydroxides. In one case sulfides were also detected by SEM.
Roman and Byzantine glass shards collected during excavation campaigns around the ancient city of... more Roman and Byzantine glass shards collected during excavation campaigns around the ancient city of Thugga in northern Tunisia have been characterised by means of various analytical techniques. Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) was used to determine the glass matrix elemental composition and to identify the elements responsible for the colour. Fibre optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) was employed to investigate the chemical nature, the oxidation state and the coordination of the chromophores. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was here exploited for characterising the outermost layers of the glasses. Elemental analyses by pXRF pointed out that Si, Fe, Al, Ca, K, Rb, Sr, Na and Mg are the main elements present in the glasses. The chromophores responsible for the different shades are Fe for the green shades, Cu and Co for the blue ones, Mn, also used as discolouring agent, for the colourless samples. In relation to the raw materials used for glass production, the comparison with control groups of samples from Northern Tunisia suggests a common provenance of sands.
The main quarrying area of the Mulargia ignimbrite, used mainly to produce rotary millstones duri... more The main quarrying area of the Mulargia ignimbrite, used mainly to produce rotary millstones during the Hellenistic and Roman age, has been identified and sampled in order to update and complete the petrographic and geochemical database by employing standard analytical methods (optical microscopy and ICP-AES/MS spectrometry). The combination of petrographic and geochemical data concerning the Tertiary rhyodacitic to rhyolitic ignimbrites outcropping in central west Sardinia, previously very poor, form a helpful tool for future work on this important typology of volcanic millstones. The data bank obtained has been used to verify the geological source of eight millstones discovered in different rural settlements of Hellenistic Numidia and Roman Africa Proconsularis supposed by archaeologists to be made of ignimbrite from Mulargia. The results of the petro-archaeometric study confirmed a Sardinian origin for these millstones and represent one of the very few analytical proofs of their effective export to North Africa.
Despite the reduced quantities of glass finds in
comparison to other groups of archaeological mat... more Despite the reduced quantities of glass finds in comparison to other groups of archaeological materials, studies on Ancient glass have extraordinary developed in the last decades. Thanks to the increasing contribution of chemical analyses of samples from several sites, the distribution and chronology of Roman and Byzantine glass forms can today be related to information about specific production centres. The following research concerns the glass assemblage of a Late Antique farm at Aïn Ouassel, in the surroundings of Thugga in Tunisia. The recorded multipurpose glass forms, especially plates, beakers and goblets, reflect their conventional use in Roman and Byzantine time also in the countryside, far from the Mediterranean coast. Right now, the advancing chemical analyses on some samples reveal similarities with the known data about central and northern Tunisian glass collections. As for the rest of Tunisia, local production centres haven’t been detected neither in the surveyed area around the excavated farm.
Department of Letters and Philosophy, University of Trento, via Tommaso Gar, 14 38122 Trento, Ita... more Department of Letters and Philosophy, University of Trento, via Tommaso Gar, 14 38122 Trento, Italy, Email: martina.andreoli@unitn.it Chronological and stylistic studies of Roman wall paintings and mosaics were based for a long time only on optical direct analysis and current analogue or digital photographic reproduction. The aims of fresco research today remain the same as in the past — i.e. pigment types and sources, painting subjects and styles, application methods, and the relationship between paintings and the function of their locations. Modern technologies, however, have now been developed which can finally improve our knowledge about ancient decorative taste and workshops. New methodologies such as highly accurate colour reproduction of paintings and mosaics, digital reconstruction of fragmentary decorations, or chemical analyses of pigments or plasters are increasingly being used to fill important research gaps. Some of these techniques are illustrated in this article as solutions to obstacles in the archaeological documentation of an unpublished first-century ad painting (Late Flavian period) on the Caelian Hill in Rome. With relation to Fourth Style decorations, the problematic question as to whether there was an intentional ratio between the component parts of the fresco is also discussed, linking for the first time the Vitruvian architectural concept of Commodulatio (meaning ‘with symmetry/proportion’) to wall paintings.(Received June 28 2013)(Accepted August 25 2013)(Revised February 11 2014)
In the present study, shards from Roman wall paintings (from the end of the first century to the ... more In the present study, shards from Roman wall paintings (from the end of the first century to the fourth century A.D.) decorating the domus below the Basilica of SS. John and Paul on the Caelian Hill (Rome), were analyzed in order to identify the pigments used. The analytical techniques employed for the characterization of the pigments were the scanning electron microscope coupled with an energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) and infrared spectroscopy (ATR and micro ATR). While SEM-EDS allowed to perform a qualitative analysis of the material, by FT-IR chemical species have been identified. The pigments identified were those mentioned in the literature for the Imperial Roman fresco painting: different types of ochre (yellow and red), mixtures containing lead, green earths and precious pigments such as cinnabar and Egyptian blue. They were often used as mixtures and the use of the most valuable pigments (cinnabar and Egyptian blue) were found in the most ancient rooms.
This work concerns the characterisation of a set of wall painting and stucco fragments
collected ... more This work concerns the characterisation of a set of wall painting and stucco fragments collected during a rescue excavation carried out in 2013 by the Soprintendenza Archeologica in the Monte d’Oro area (Rome). Due to the contextless archaeological situation, analyses were performed to obtain more information about the collected materials. A multi-analytical approach has been applied including spectroscopic (FTIR, Raman and visible reflectance analyses) and elemental analysis (SEM-EDS) techniques. The chromatic palette has been in this way disclosed evidencing the use of pigments such as cinnabar, Egyptian blue, red and yellow ochre and green earth, but also the simultaneous use of them. The presence of a decoration achieved by using a gold leaf has been highlighted also, indicating the preciousness of the decorations. The convenience and advantages linked to the use of portable instrumentation have been also evidenced.
This study deals with the identification of the degradation products present on some
Byzantine gl... more This study deals with the identification of the degradation products present on some Byzantine glasses coming from an archaeological excavation in Northern Tunisia. The main purpose of the present investigation is the identification of the products and the characterization of surface altered points, namely iridescent and black patinas, which are present on some selected glasses. Non-destructive techniques such as XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy), ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy) and LA-ICP-MS (Laser-Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry) are here exploited. SEM-EDS was employed to ascertain the morphological structure and the chemical composition of various points, apparently dierent, on the glass surfaces. Small area XPS was performed for identifying the elements present on the sample surface, for determining their chemical state and for establishing the atomic composition of the morphologically dierent regions. LA-ICP-MS was exploited to determine the chemical composition as far as the trace elements are concerned. The presence of iridescent patinas and of encrustations has been highlighted on the glass surfaces in correspondence to the altered areas: iridescent patinas are due to the fact that the glasses are depleted in alkali and alkaline earths. The incrustations resulted due to the presence of calcium carbonates, and/or oxyhydroxides. In one case sulfides were also detected by SEM.
Roman and Byzantine glass shards collected during excavation campaigns around the ancient city of... more Roman and Byzantine glass shards collected during excavation campaigns around the ancient city of Thugga in northern Tunisia have been characterised by means of various analytical techniques. Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) was used to determine the glass matrix elemental composition and to identify the elements responsible for the colour. Fibre optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) was employed to investigate the chemical nature, the oxidation state and the coordination of the chromophores. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was here exploited for characterising the outermost layers of the glasses. Elemental analyses by pXRF pointed out that Si, Fe, Al, Ca, K, Rb, Sr, Na and Mg are the main elements present in the glasses. The chromophores responsible for the different shades are Fe for the green shades, Cu and Co for the blue ones, Mn, also used as discolouring agent, for the colourless samples. In relation to the raw materials used for glass production, the comparison with control groups of samples from Northern Tunisia suggests a common provenance of sands.
The main quarrying area of the Mulargia ignimbrite, used mainly to produce rotary millstones duri... more The main quarrying area of the Mulargia ignimbrite, used mainly to produce rotary millstones during the Hellenistic and Roman age, has been identified and sampled in order to update and complete the petrographic and geochemical database by employing standard analytical methods (optical microscopy and ICP-AES/MS spectrometry). The combination of petrographic and geochemical data concerning the Tertiary rhyodacitic to rhyolitic ignimbrites outcropping in central west Sardinia, previously very poor, form a helpful tool for future work on this important typology of volcanic millstones. The data bank obtained has been used to verify the geological source of eight millstones discovered in different rural settlements of Hellenistic Numidia and Roman Africa Proconsularis supposed by archaeologists to be made of ignimbrite from Mulargia. The results of the petro-archaeometric study confirmed a Sardinian origin for these millstones and represent one of the very few analytical proofs of their effective export to North Africa.
Despite the reduced quantities of glass finds in
comparison to other groups of archaeological mat... more Despite the reduced quantities of glass finds in comparison to other groups of archaeological materials, studies on Ancient glass have extraordinary developed in the last decades. Thanks to the increasing contribution of chemical analyses of samples from several sites, the distribution and chronology of Roman and Byzantine glass forms can today be related to information about specific production centres. The following research concerns the glass assemblage of a Late Antique farm at Aïn Ouassel, in the surroundings of Thugga in Tunisia. The recorded multipurpose glass forms, especially plates, beakers and goblets, reflect their conventional use in Roman and Byzantine time also in the countryside, far from the Mediterranean coast. Right now, the advancing chemical analyses on some samples reveal similarities with the known data about central and northern Tunisian glass collections. As for the rest of Tunisia, local production centres haven’t been detected neither in the surveyed area around the excavated farm.
Department of Letters and Philosophy, University of Trento, via Tommaso Gar, 14 38122 Trento, Ita... more Department of Letters and Philosophy, University of Trento, via Tommaso Gar, 14 38122 Trento, Italy, Email: martina.andreoli@unitn.it Chronological and stylistic studies of Roman wall paintings and mosaics were based for a long time only on optical direct analysis and current analogue or digital photographic reproduction. The aims of fresco research today remain the same as in the past — i.e. pigment types and sources, painting subjects and styles, application methods, and the relationship between paintings and the function of their locations. Modern technologies, however, have now been developed which can finally improve our knowledge about ancient decorative taste and workshops. New methodologies such as highly accurate colour reproduction of paintings and mosaics, digital reconstruction of fragmentary decorations, or chemical analyses of pigments or plasters are increasingly being used to fill important research gaps. Some of these techniques are illustrated in this article as solutions to obstacles in the archaeological documentation of an unpublished first-century ad painting (Late Flavian period) on the Caelian Hill in Rome. With relation to Fourth Style decorations, the problematic question as to whether there was an intentional ratio between the component parts of the fresco is also discussed, linking for the first time the Vitruvian architectural concept of Commodulatio (meaning ‘with symmetry/proportion’) to wall paintings.(Received June 28 2013)(Accepted August 25 2013)(Revised February 11 2014)
In the present study, shards from Roman wall paintings (from the end of the first century to the ... more In the present study, shards from Roman wall paintings (from the end of the first century to the fourth century A.D.) decorating the domus below the Basilica of SS. John and Paul on the Caelian Hill (Rome), were analyzed in order to identify the pigments used. The analytical techniques employed for the characterization of the pigments were the scanning electron microscope coupled with an energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) and infrared spectroscopy (ATR and micro ATR). While SEM-EDS allowed to perform a qualitative analysis of the material, by FT-IR chemical species have been identified. The pigments identified were those mentioned in the literature for the Imperial Roman fresco painting: different types of ochre (yellow and red), mixtures containing lead, green earths and precious pigments such as cinnabar and Egyptian blue. They were often used as mixtures and the use of the most valuable pigments (cinnabar and Egyptian blue) were found in the most ancient rooms.
by M. Raaijmakers de Vos, R. Attoui, M. Andreoli, A. Battisti, Rus Africum: tome I. Le paysage rural antique autour de Dougga et Téboursouk: cartographie, relevés et chronologie des établissements, 2013
by M. Raaijmakers de Vos, R. Attoui, M. Andreoli, A. Battisti, Rus Africum: tome I. Le paysage rural antique autour de Dougga et Téboursouk: cartographie, relevés et chronologie des établissements
Uploads
Papers
collected during a rescue excavation carried out in 2013 by the Soprintendenza Archeologica in the
Monte d’Oro area (Rome). Due to the contextless archaeological situation, analyses were performed
to obtain more information about the collected materials. A multi-analytical approach has been
applied including spectroscopic (FTIR, Raman and visible reflectance analyses) and elemental analysis
(SEM-EDS) techniques. The chromatic palette has been in this way disclosed evidencing the use
of pigments such as cinnabar, Egyptian blue, red and yellow ochre and green earth, but also the
simultaneous use of them. The presence of a decoration achieved by using a gold leaf has been
highlighted also, indicating the preciousness of the decorations. The convenience and advantages
linked to the use of portable instrumentation have been also evidenced.
Byzantine glasses coming from an archaeological excavation in Northern Tunisia. The main purpose
of the present investigation is the identification of the products and the characterization of surface
altered points, namely iridescent and black patinas, which are present on some selected glasses.
Non-destructive techniques such as XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), SEM-EDS (Scanning
Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy), ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total
Reflection-Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy) and LA-ICP-MS (Laser-Ablation Inductively Coupled
Plasma-Mass Spectrometry) are here exploited. SEM-EDS was employed to ascertain the
morphological structure and the chemical composition of various points, apparently dierent,
on the glass surfaces. Small area XPS was performed for identifying the elements present on the
sample surface, for determining their chemical state and for establishing the atomic composition of the
morphologically dierent regions. LA-ICP-MS was exploited to determine the chemical composition
as far as the trace elements are concerned. The presence of iridescent patinas and of encrustations has
been highlighted on the glass surfaces in correspondence to the altered areas: iridescent patinas are
due to the fact that the glasses are depleted in alkali and alkaline earths. The incrustations resulted
due to the presence of calcium carbonates, and/or oxyhydroxides. In one case sulfides were also
detected by SEM.
comparison to other groups of archaeological materials, studies
on Ancient glass have extraordinary developed in the last
decades. Thanks to the increasing contribution of chemical
analyses of samples from several sites, the distribution and
chronology of Roman and Byzantine glass forms can today be
related to information about specific production centres. The
following research concerns the glass assemblage of a Late
Antique farm at Aïn Ouassel, in the surroundings of Thugga
in Tunisia. The recorded multipurpose glass forms, especially
plates, beakers and goblets, reflect their conventional use in
Roman and Byzantine time also in the countryside, far from
the Mediterranean coast. Right now, the advancing chemical
analyses on some samples reveal similarities with the known
data about central and northern Tunisian glass collections. As
for the rest of Tunisia, local production centres haven’t been
detected neither in the surveyed area around the excavated farm.
Poster
Part of book
collected during a rescue excavation carried out in 2013 by the Soprintendenza Archeologica in the
Monte d’Oro area (Rome). Due to the contextless archaeological situation, analyses were performed
to obtain more information about the collected materials. A multi-analytical approach has been
applied including spectroscopic (FTIR, Raman and visible reflectance analyses) and elemental analysis
(SEM-EDS) techniques. The chromatic palette has been in this way disclosed evidencing the use
of pigments such as cinnabar, Egyptian blue, red and yellow ochre and green earth, but also the
simultaneous use of them. The presence of a decoration achieved by using a gold leaf has been
highlighted also, indicating the preciousness of the decorations. The convenience and advantages
linked to the use of portable instrumentation have been also evidenced.
Byzantine glasses coming from an archaeological excavation in Northern Tunisia. The main purpose
of the present investigation is the identification of the products and the characterization of surface
altered points, namely iridescent and black patinas, which are present on some selected glasses.
Non-destructive techniques such as XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), SEM-EDS (Scanning
Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy), ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total
Reflection-Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy) and LA-ICP-MS (Laser-Ablation Inductively Coupled
Plasma-Mass Spectrometry) are here exploited. SEM-EDS was employed to ascertain the
morphological structure and the chemical composition of various points, apparently dierent,
on the glass surfaces. Small area XPS was performed for identifying the elements present on the
sample surface, for determining their chemical state and for establishing the atomic composition of the
morphologically dierent regions. LA-ICP-MS was exploited to determine the chemical composition
as far as the trace elements are concerned. The presence of iridescent patinas and of encrustations has
been highlighted on the glass surfaces in correspondence to the altered areas: iridescent patinas are
due to the fact that the glasses are depleted in alkali and alkaline earths. The incrustations resulted
due to the presence of calcium carbonates, and/or oxyhydroxides. In one case sulfides were also
detected by SEM.
comparison to other groups of archaeological materials, studies
on Ancient glass have extraordinary developed in the last
decades. Thanks to the increasing contribution of chemical
analyses of samples from several sites, the distribution and
chronology of Roman and Byzantine glass forms can today be
related to information about specific production centres. The
following research concerns the glass assemblage of a Late
Antique farm at Aïn Ouassel, in the surroundings of Thugga
in Tunisia. The recorded multipurpose glass forms, especially
plates, beakers and goblets, reflect their conventional use in
Roman and Byzantine time also in the countryside, far from
the Mediterranean coast. Right now, the advancing chemical
analyses on some samples reveal similarities with the known
data about central and northern Tunisian glass collections. As
for the rest of Tunisia, local production centres haven’t been
detected neither in the surveyed area around the excavated farm.