PHOSPHORUS ANALYSIS AT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES: AN OPTIMIZATION OF THE METHOD AND INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS

The application of phosphorus analysis to archaeological contexts can be considerably improved through ultrasonic extraction and the statistical evaluation of results through an analysis of variance. Such tools make the archaeological application of phosphorus analysis faster as well as more economical and coherent. This paper describes the features of these tools and provides a practical case: the Late Neolithic—Early Copper phase of the site ‘Polideportivo’in Martos, southern Spain.     

MICRO‐RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY CHARACTERIZATION OF DELLA ROBBIA GLAZES*

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy and the laser‐induced transformation technique were used for systematic study of five coloured glazes on Saint John the Baptist (29 inch tondo), a majolica terracotta relief attributed to Luca Della Robbia and on permanent exhibit in The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. We suggest that ions in a lead silicate matrix, called ‘lead ultramarine’, could contribute to the famous Della Robbia blue colour, in addition to the effect of Co atoms as suggested previously by Pappalardo et al. (2004 ). The original yellow glaze contains lead(II) antimonate. The green is a mixture of the yellow and blue pigments, the brown contains hematite, and the white glaze contains tin dioxide as an opacifier. The use of lead oxide as a main fluxing agent is confirmed by laser‐induced micro‐crystallization.     

The Application of Scanning X‐ray Fluorescence Microanalysis in the Examination of Cultural Materials

The use of a new analytical technique for the elemental characterization of artefacts is described. The new equipment is capable of X‐ray fluorescence analysis in conventional mode as well as for elemental scanning of small objects, fragments or microsamples. The Omicron, manufactured by Kevex Instruments Inc., is equipped with a microfocused X‐ray tube, which can be collimated to a 50 μ beam and used to scan objects over a maximum range of 256 × 256 pixels. False‐colour elemental distribution maps allow the user to image small features, differently pigmented areas, or whole objects in the machine completely non‐destructively. Analyses can be carried out in air, under helium or in vacuum. Two examples of the application of the new technique are described: first, to the surface decoration on a Greek Attic white ground lekythos; and, second, to the pigments used on a small painting, a ‘Pittura’, on copper by the Dutch artist, Frans van Mieris (1635–81) in the collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum.     

THE CHARACTERIZATION OF PAINTS AND WATERPROOFING MATERIALS FROM THE SHIPWRECKS FOUND AT THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF THE ETRUSCAN AND ROMAN HARBOUR OF PISA (ITALY)*

This work presents the results of a diagnostic survey on the shipwrecks from the archaeological site of the ancient harbour of San Rossore (Pisa, Italy). The original waterproofing, caulking and painting materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC–MS), energy‐dispersive X‐ray microanalysis (EDX) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The major constituents of the waterproofing and caulking materials detected on the planks were tricyclic abietanes showing a high degree of aromatization. These compounds are indicative of a pitch obtained from the wood of trees of the Pinaceae family. The analysis of the organic components of the paint samples revealed diterpenoid acids characteristic of Pinaceae resins together with linear long‐chain alcohols and fatty acids, highlighting the presence of beeswax. Noticeably, the characteristic odd carbon number alkanes that are normally present in beeswax were not detected. The EDX and XRD analyses showed that hematite, calcite, cerussite and kaolinite were employed as pigments to paint the ships’ hulls.     

The Improved Lns Pixe‐Alpha Portable System: Archaeometric Applications*

The possibilities presented by the improved portable PIXE system are discussed. Examples are given of applications in the cultural heritage field, and in particular in the characterization of pigments and silver patina on ancient Roman coins. The limitations of the system are also discussed.     

Pigments and Plasters Discovered in the House of Diana (Cosa,Grosseto, Italy): An Integrated Study Between Art History,Archaeology and Scientific Analyses*

The pigments and the plasters of the Roman frescoes discovered at the House of Diana (Cosa, Grosseto, Italy) were analysed using non‐destructive and destructive mineralogical and chemical techniques. The characterization of both pigments and plasters was performed through optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis. The pigments were identified by Raman spectroscopy and submitted to stable isotope analysis. The results were integrated with the archaeological data in order to determine and reconstruct the provenance, trade patterns and the employment of the raw materials used for the elaboration of the frescoes.     

Digging Franco's Trenches: An Archaeological Investigation of a Nationalist Position from the Spanish Civil War

Abstract

As part of a project on the archaeology of the civil war and dictatorship in Spain, a Nationalist position was excavated in the village of Abánades (Guadalajara), which was occupied between March 1937 and the end of the war. The sector that was excavated comprised a trench, two dugouts, and a stone-and-concrete covered trench. The findings reveal more about daily life in General Franco's trenches, while they also offer insights into totalitarian ideology, international involvement in the conflict, and the war economy.     

Reconnaissance of the Hannibalic Route in the Upper Po Valley,Italy: Correlation with Biostratigraphic Historical Archaeological Evidence in the Upper Guil Valley,France

Controversy over the alpine route taken by the Hannibalic Army from the Rhône Basin into Italia in 218 bc (2168 cal bp ) has raged amongst classicists for over two millennia. Because Hannibal crossed the Alps, the significance for identifying the route taken by the Punic Army lies more in its potential for identifying sites of historical archaeological significance than a resolution of one of history's most enduring questions. While compelling stratigraphic, geochemical and microbiological evidence has been recovered from an alluvial floodplain mire in the upper Guil Valley, located below the Col de la Traversette (about 3000 masl) on the French–Italian border, it potentially identifies the invasion route as the one originally proposed by Sir Gavin de Beer in 1974. The dated layers in several sections, termed the MAD (mass animal deposition) beds based on disrupted/churned bedding and key/specialized biological components strongly supports de Beer's thesis that Hannibal chose the highest transit col into Italia. In addition to other physical evidence, we present here new physical, geomorphological and stratigraphic evidence, all calibrated by radiocarbon dating, that suggests Hannibal's imprint on the landscape exists in coalescing alluvial fans in the upper Po catchment of northern Italy.     

DECORATED ARCHAIC POTTERY FROM THE HERACLES SANCTUARY AT THEBES: A MATERIALS,TECHNOLOGY AND PROVENANCE STUDY*

Forty‐seven decorated samples of Archaic pottery excavated at a Heracles sanctuary (Thebes, Boeotia) were studied through a combined surface and body approach, using non‐destructive techniques. Most of the samples were archaeologically classified as Theban/Boeotian, others as Corinthian and a few as possibly Euboean. The techniques employed were optical microscopy and SEM–EDAX (micromorphology and compositional analysis of the surfaces) and XRF for the analysis of the ceramic body. The results provided information on the technological level of the collected pottery as well as on the relation of the chemistry and micromorphology of the pigments, aimed at assisting provenance studies.