scholarly journals Vitreous Tesserae from the Four Seasons Mosaic of the S. Aloe Quarter in Vibo Valentia–Calabria, Italy: A Chemical Characterization

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 658
Author(s):  
Elia Fiorenza ◽  
Natalia Rovella ◽  
Maria D’Andrea ◽  
Marianna Musella ◽  
Fabrizio Sudano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
Soda Lime ◽  
Third Century ◽  
Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Icp Ms ◽  
Plasma Mass Spectrometry

This work reports the results of the archaeometrical investigation performed on twenty glass tesserae collected in 2018, during the restoration of the Four Seasons mosaic, which dates between the second and the third century AD, in the archaeological area of the S. Aloe quarter in Vibo Valentia (Calabria, Italy). The coloured glass tesserae were analysed through a micro-analytical approach using an Electron Probe Micro Analyser with Wavelength-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EPMA-WDS) and Laser Ablation with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The aims of the study were (1) the determination of the chemical composition and the technology of glass mosaic tesserae production; (2) the individuation of colouring and opacifying agents used for the production of the glass tesserae. The glasses show the typical soda–lime–silica composition. EPMA-WDS results prove the use of Sn–Pb antimonates to create yellow glass, and of cuprite to obtain the red colour. Copper and cobalt were employed in both green and blue glasses to produce different shades of colour (grey, tints of green, dark and light blue).

scholarly journals Chemical Characterization of Vitreous Finds from Cosenza Cathedral (Calabria – Italy) by the Combined Use of Analytical Techniques

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donatella Barca ◽  
Franca C. Papparella
Keyword(s):  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Soda Lime ◽  
13Th Century ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Icp Ms ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Plasma Mass Spectrometry

AbstractThis article presents an archaeometrical research carried out on twenty-six vitreous finds collected in the Cosenza Cathedral (Calabria, Italy). The glasses have been subdivided in two typo-chronological groups. The first group is composed of 14 vitreous samples dating to the 4th–6th century AD. The second group includes twelve samples; seven are stems of funnel-shaped hanging lamps which date between the 12th and the 13th century AD, two are bottlenecks of balsamaria and three are concave bases. The aims of this study were the determination of the chemical composition of vitreous finds and the individuation of the primary glass sources. The samples were characterized through Electron Probe Micro Analyser with Wavelength Dispersive Spectrometer (EPMA-WDS) and Laser Ablation with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The data confirm that all the finds of the first group are “silica-soda-lime” type glasses characterized by a high content of Na2O and a low content of K2O and MgO. On the contrary, the samples of the second group, showing higher contents of K2O and MgO, are vegetable silica-soda-lime glasses. Their composition confirms the typological attribution to the medieval period.

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