72 research outputs found
Adriano e il Palatino: soluzioni costruttive, sviluppo urbanistico e destinazione funzionale dei settori occidentali e meridionali della Domus Tiberiana
No full textThe research launched in 2013 by the former Soprintendenza Speciale of Rome, carried out in parallel with the restoration work already underway for many years, aims to promote a new organic and comprehensive study of the Domus Tiberiana. The stratigraphic analysis of walls and building techniques, including also the buildings located along the northern edge of the Nova Via, has made it possible to reconsider in more detail the extensive Hadrianic building phase, already identified by previous research starting from the work of E.B. Van Deman. In addition, the wider complex of transformations carried out in this same period throughout the western sector of the Palatine can only be fully understood by comparison with the operations carried out on the southern side of the Domus Tiberiana and in the sanctuary of the Magna Mater. In this contribution we propose for the first time an overview of all the whole Domus Tiberiana, whose slopes were rebuilt in the Hadrianic age. New systems of substructures were created, as well as a complex system of roads and service districts connected to the upper level of the palace
Il Progetto Domus Tiberiana (Roma). Gli approvvigionamenti di laterizi per i cantieri adrianei lungo la Nova Via
No full textIl progetto Domus Tiberiana, iniziato nel 2013 e coordinato dalla Soprintendenza Speciale per il Colosseo e
l’area archeologica centrale di Roma, ha come scopo il nuovo e complessivo studio del primo palazzo imperiale
sul Palatino. Diversi aspetti vengono considerati, integrando fra loro i risultati delle ricerche precedenti e delle
nuove indagini, archiviati nel GIS SITAR della Soprintendenza: studio della stratigrafia muraria, delle tecniche
edilizie, delle decorazioni, dei reperti archeologici e dei restauri architettonici. In questo articolo sono esposti
i primi risultati dell’indagine condotta sulle tecniche e i materiali da costruzione dell’isolato adrianeo nel tratto
occidentale della Nova Via, costruito insieme all’ampliamento dell’angolo NordOvest della Domus. In particolare,
l’analisi metrologica dei laterizi ha chiarito come gli approvvigionamenti di bipedali, sesquipedali, bessali, tegole
fratte e laterizi di reimpiego venissero redistribuiti all’interno dell’edificio. La ripartizione delle tecniche edilizie
nelle diverse porzioni murarie obbediva, infatti, a una razionale logica economica e strutturale
Investigations on alloy-burial environment interaction of archaeological bronze coins
No full textThis study is focused on ten Roman leaded coins from the archaeological site of the Magna Mater Temple (Rome,
Italy). These coins, buried for centuries in a peculiar environment of the archaeological area (i.e., the latrinae),
were investigated to explore the chemical composition and microstructure of the inner alloy. The opportunity to
examine the core of the alloy permitted to disclose information about the original composition as well as to infer
the interaction and the modification of the metal core during burial condition over centuries. Scanning electron
microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Electron Microprobe Analysis (EMPA) techniques
have been employed to study each sample from rim to inner un-corroded core. The results showed that the
coins are a Cu-Sn based alloy enriched in Pb. The content of Cu in the Cu-rich area (i.e., the α-phase) is ca 99 wt%
and that of the Pb islands (i.e. the β-phase) reaches 97 wt%. The X-ray maps of the interface between the subexternal
layer/inner-core revealed the occurrence of high chloride content, in which the distribution of Cl and Pb
indicated the presence of lead chloride minerals. SEM-imaging highlighted also a deep corrosion of the patina
with cracks and pits. Underneath the corrosion layer, an area of the almost unaltered β-phase composing the bulk
material of the coin has been detected
Il progetto della Domus Tiberiana (Roma): cantieri edili e topografia della pendice nord-ovest del Palatino tra l’età neroniana e l’età severiana)
No full textHow microanalysis can be discriminant on black Pompeian wares
No full textIn the present work the advantages of punctual approaches are discussed in the discrimination of black wares from the Sanctuary of Venus Fisica (Pompeii, Italy), dated between the 2nd and 1st century BC. Black-gloss ware and "bucchero" samples are analyzed by a multi-analytical approach including optical microscopy (OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) to investigate the mineralogical and petrographic features of these artefacts. Grain size, firing conditions and potter’s expertise influenced the final appearance of the superficial decorative black layer. In addition, punctual chemical analysis was fundamental to verify the archaeological indication of specific production sites
A multi-analytical approach for the validation of a jellified electrolyte. Application to the study of ancient bronze patina
No full textThis work reports the first employment of a gel polymer-based electrochemical cell to perform electrochemical impedance analysis of archaeological remains. The patinas of three Roman coins are studied through of electrochemical techniques (especially Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, EIS) along with Electron Scanning Microscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), in order to validate the results obtained with jellified electrolyte. SEM-EDS and XRD analyses reveal the composition of the patinas suggesting that the original alloys were made of Cu and Cu–Sn–Pb. Furthermore, EIS results make one able to assess some characteristics of coins, as for instance, the presence of a noble patina. This outcome is corroborated by the SEM-EDS and XRD analysis, suggesting that the method based on the jellified electrolyte on archaeological samples can be employed. Moreover, supporting studies are carried out using Voltammetry of Microparticles (VMP), which is able to detect the presence of some specific corrosion products (cuprite). So far, EIS is not a common technique in the Cultural Heritage field despite it can provide useful information about the conditions of conservation, i.e., corrosion processes. Here we can show the advantages of developing a gel-based system for EIS measurement which allows carrying out a punctual and quick analysis on the ancient bronze roman coins
Modeling solid‐state reaction processes : application for the archaeometric study of potteries from Venus Fisica Temple in Pompeii (Italy)
No full textThis research employs the voltammetry of immobilized microparticles (VIMP) methodology to analyze a collection of ceramic samples from the temple of Venus Fisica in the archaeological site of Pompeii. The primary objective is to discern their origins and manufacturing processes by the solid-state analysis of the electroactive properties of iron minerals, particularly hematite, extensively investigated for its electrochemical and catalytic characteristics. In our study, we propose a model to elucidate the electrochemical processes involved, building upon prior logistic and nucleation formulations. In this model, we consider the possibility of two superimposed pathways. This approach provides a nuanced understanding of composition changes and mineral crystallinity, factors that can induce significant variations in the voltammetric signal.
Consequently, it becomes an effective means to discriminate between different provenances and manufacturing techniques of different potteries. The outcomes of this research contribute valuable insights into the intricate realm of ancient ceramic materials, casting light on their origins and production processes within the historical context of Pompeii
Medieval glazed ceramic from Caesar's Forum (Rome, Italy). Production technology
No full textThis study is focused on Medieval Roman heavy lead-glazed ceramics from the archaeological site of the Caesar's
Forum (Rome, Italy), dated from the 10th and not beyond the first decades of the 11th century. Optical microscopy
(OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and electron microprobe
analysis (EMPA) have been used for the archaeometric characterization of the ceramics. Petrographic
analysis of the body indicated the occurrence of three petro-fabrics, mainly composed by abundant quartz,
feldspars, nodules of iron oxides, rare fragments of siliceous rocks, very rare fragments of calcareous rocks,
pyroxene, biotite and olivine. This mineralogical assemblage suggests that the ceramics were fired in the range
950–1050 °C, under oxidizing conditions. SEM and EMP analysis show that the ceramic body was produced with
non-or moderately calcareous clays and the heavy glaze with lead oxide, silica, alumina and alkalis. The microstructure
of the glaze and the relationship with the body suggest that for the production of the ceramic
repertoire of the Caesar's Forum either the single or the double firing techniques were used
Glazed roman ceramic. A multi-analytical approach
No full textA multi-analytical approach has been applied to characterize ancient glazed ceramics
from the archaeological sites of Magna Mater temple and Domus Tiberiana on the
Palatine Hill (Rome, Italy) dated between the 3rd and the early 5th century AD. The
aim of this work is to investigate the production technologies of the ceramic body and
the glazed coating and to explore the nature and the provenance of the raw materials.
Optical microscopy (OM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray
powder diffraction (XRPD) results showed that the ceramic body is composed by
quartz, K-feldspar and plagioclase, fragments of igneous and sedimentary rocks. The
firing temperature was estimated at about 900-1000 °C, in uncontrolled atmosphere
conditions. The mineralogical assemblage of the ceramic body is consistent with a local
source of the raw materials. The results of electron microscopy coupled with energy
dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) showed that the glazes contain different Si/
Pb ratios. In addition, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) detected the presence of Sn although
its concentration does not allow defining the studied samples as tin-glazed ceramics.
However, the occurrence of this element indicates an atypical Roman production, never
recognized before in coeval samples from other archaeological sites
Roman glazed inkwells from the Nuovo Mercato di Testaccio (Rome, Italy). Production technology
No full textThis study is focused on Roman lead-glazed inkwells from the archaeological site of the “Nuovo Mercato di Testaccio” (Rome, Italy) dated in the half 2nd century AD. Optical microscopy (OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) have been used. Petrographic analysis of the body indicated the
occurrence of only one fabric. The reaction zone at the contact glaze/body is marked by the enucleating of euhedral Pb-bearing alkali feldspar from a felsic melt enriched in Pb as revealed by EMP analysis. The mineralogical assemblages of the body and glaze, the microstructure and the chemical composition suggest that the inkwells were fired in the range 950–1100 ◦C, under oxidizing conditions
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