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This paper presents a study carried out on the painted altarpiece preserved inside the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome, by combining three imaging techniques operating in the near‐ and mid‐infrared spectral ranges. The altarpiece has several pictorial layers and restorations, which have superimposed over time for stylistic adjustment and conservative purposes up to its present appearance. The results obtained in this study enable the detection of damage to the wooden support and the identification of pictorial features buried beneath the visible paint layer, thus providing significant information on the historical and artistic characterization of the artefact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on ceramic vessels unearthed from Copper Age necropolises located in the area of the modern city of Rome and commonly attributed to the Rinaldone culture. The peculiar vessels' shapes, mainly associated with the consumption of beverages, their accuracy of manufacture and the very low impact of these ceramic morphologies in the coeval household assemblages lead to the study of such an apparently selected production through a multidisciplinary research. Petrographic analysis, X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) integrated with the analysis of manufacturing traces and X‐ray investigation suggest the transmission of technological choices, which remained unchanged over almost two millennia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, data collected from the wall fresco paintings of room 114, called the ' Sala delle maschere', of the Domus Aurea in Rome is analysed. The chemical composition of the efflorescence is investigated by infrared spectroscopy. The colour palette is determined by means of EDXRF, Raman spectroscopy and visible reflectance spectroscopy. EDXRF has allowed an extensive mapping of the elements present in the pigments and plaster; whilst in-situ Raman spectroscopy has been determinant for attributing the molecular composition of the pigments in a number of doubtful cases. Most pigments identified are typical of Imperial Roman fresco paintings (first to fourth centuries AD) (Ward-Perkins 1981); more interestingly, we found evidence of fragments painted with Egyptian blue, which was normally used mostly in official rooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the geochemical analysis of lightweight scoria and pumice used in concrete vaults from ancient Rome. The geochemical signatures of dark scoria indicates a provenance of the 36-18 ka lavas of Vesuvius, as opposed to the more recent events on which Pompeii was built, as previously thought. The light-coloured pumices analysed, which were originally thought to belong to the Sabatini volcanic system (north of Rome), corresponded instead to products from Campi Flegrei. These results provoke re-evaluation of the trade and acquisition of these specialized materials destined for imperial projects in the capital city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The third centuryad was a complex period of crisis in the Roman world. In this paper, official and unofficial antoniniani, and double sestercii and sestercii, were analysed by fast neutron activation analysis (FNAA) to determine the alloys used by the craftsmen for producing forgeries. Moreover, at Châteaubleau, archaeologists discovered antoniniani and bronze forgeries from Postumus. Similar materials have been found in other hoards. They are believed to have been produced by a workshop called ‘atelier II’ by numismatists. The question was whether it is possible to differentiate the Châteaubleau production from the atelier II production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaic Roman painted antefixes, architectural slabs and louteria from the Palatine Hill in Rome, Italy, were studied by non‐destructive and micro‐destructive methods: Portable X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), micro‐Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The investigation enabled the characterization of raw materials and ceramic technology, providing insights on provenance. In fact, similarities were recognized with terracottas from the neighbouring Etruscan Veii. The analysis of pictorial layers revealed the use of Fe‐ and Mn‐based pigments, as well as the identification of more precious pigments on worthy pieces. The research intended to support the archaeological discussion about the frame of the nascent city of Rome, also in relation to the coeval Etruscan culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution focuses on the study of historical mortars from a Roman archaeological site known as Villa dei Quintili, a monumental villa located in the south-eastern part of Rome (Italy). The study was carried out on 38 mortar samples, collected from several edifices within the complex. A multi-analytical approach, including polarized optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive system and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, was used to analyse the pozzolanic material used for the preparation of mortars. Data obtained on both major and trace elements were compared with the compositions of Pozzolana Rossa, Pozzolana Nera and Pozzolanella samples from the Alban Hills volcanic district, collected from a historic quarry nearby, as well as with literature data. The results of such a multidisciplinary approach allowed us to recognize the use of all three pozzolan types for the aggregate fraction of examined mortars from the Villa dei Quintili. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on Old South Arabian (OSA) coinage are rare and state-of-the-art materials analysis for them lags far behind that of ancient Greece and Rome. Understandably, numismatists responsible for preserving their collections discourage destructive analyses. We have selected coins of the aesthetically and technically developed Himyarite Royal Raydan series (early first to late second century ce), so-called Old and New Style Athenian Imitations, among others to provide a wide spectrum of information on OSA coinage. We used non-destructive neutron diffraction to ascertain the metal compositions and corrosion products. Density determinations using gas-pycnometry support these experiments. The results provide detailed information with regard to a small, apparently homogeneous, selection of 10 Himyarite period specimens and first insights into the actual and the original metal compositions of about 90 coins of the three main OSA numismatic groups. The analytical results make clear which OSA coins originally were struck and which ones were cast. The analyses provide not only detailed information concerning the manufacture of the selected representative coins, but also suffice to cast a shadow on the reliability of commonplace macro-optical classification, which proves often to be inaccurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we attempt to elucidate the chronological and geographical origin of deeply coloured and black glass dating between 100bc andad 300 on the basis of their major and trace element compositions. Samples from the western and eastern parts of the Roman Empire were analysed. Analytical data were obtained by means of a scanning electron microscope – energy-dispersive system (SEM–EDS, 63 samples analysed) and laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS, 41 samples analysed). Among the glass fragments analysed, dark brown, dark purple and dark green hues could be distinguished. Only among the dark green fragments could a clear compositional distinction be observed between fragments dated to the periods before and afterad 150. In the early samples (first centurybc to first centuryad), iron, responsible for the green hue, was introduced by using impure sand containing relatively high amounts of Ti. In contrast, a Ti-poor source of iron was employed, containing Sb, Co and Pb in trace quantities, in order to obtain the dark green colour in the later glass samples. The analytical results obtained by combining SEM–EDS and LA–ICP–MS are therefore consistent with a differentiation of glassmaking recipes, detectable in glass composition, occurring in the period aroundad 150. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin-based opacifiers (lead stannate yellow and tin oxide white) were first used in glass production for a short period in Europe from the second to the first centuriesbc, and then again throughout the Roman and Byzantine Empires from the fourth centuryad onwards. Tin oxide was also used in the production of Islamic opaque glazes from the ninth centuryad, and subsequently in enamels applied to Islamic and Venetian glasses from the 12th centuryad onwards. A selection of published analytical data for the tin-opacified glasses, enamels and glazes is summarized, and the methods used in their production are reassessed. The phase transformations occurring when mixtures of lead oxide, tin oxide and silica are fired are investigated with high temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) using a synchrotron radiation source, and these results are used to explain the observed differences in the glass, enamel and glaze compositions. Possible reasons for the use of tin-based opacifiers in the second to first centuriesbc, and for the switch from antimony- to tin-based opacifiers in the fourth centuryad are suggested, and the possible contexts in which tin-based opacifiers might have been discovered are considered. The introduction of tin-opacified glazes by Islamic potters in the ninth centuryad is discussed in terms of technological transfer or independent invention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead and copper isotopes of Roman Imperial copper coins (denominations as and quadrans) were analysed by MC–ICP–MS. We concentrated on well-dated coins minted at the official mint of Rome under the Emperors Augustus and Tiberius (between 16bcandad37). The lead isotope results were compared with published lead isotope data of ore bodies from the Aegaean, Cyprus, Italy and Spain, in order to fingerprint the sources of Roman copper. During the Augustan period the main copper supply, as judged from the copper coins, is from Sardinia and south-east Spain, with minor contributions from Tuscany. Except for Tuscany, this continued into the Tiberian period, when Cypriot copper also appears. Augustan quadrantes and late Tiberian asses came solely from the Rio Tinto area in south-west Spain. Copper isotopes were applied here for the first time to systematic archaeometric studies. They are supplementary to lead isotopes and allow further grouping and classification of the copper coins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]