Premium
Archaeometric Study of Mortars from the Garum Shop at Pompeii, Campania, Italy
Author(s) -
Luca Raffaella,
Miriello Domenico,
Pecci Alessandra,
DomínguezBella Salvador,
BernalCasasola Dario,
Cottica Daniela,
Bloise Andrea,
Crisci Gino Mirocle
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
geoarchaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1520-6548
pISSN - 0883-6353
DOI - 10.1002/gea.21515
Subject(s) - microanalysis , mortar , mineralogy , pyroclastic rock , geology , homogeneity (statistics) , raw material , materials science , archaeology , geochemistry , volcano , chemistry , geography , composite material , computer science , organic chemistry , machine learning
This paper presents the results of the compositional study of 29 samples of mortar from the so‐called “Garum Shop” (I, 12, 8) at Pompeii in Southern Italy. The characterization of the samples yielded information on the raw materials used in the mixtures, the production technology of mortars, and the building phases. It was carried out through polarized optical microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence, microanalysis energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopic microanalysis, and image analysis through the JMicroVision software. The resultant data show great compositional homogeneity among the samples, suggesting the presence of a principal construction phase, probably associated with the first phase of the house. Apart from this main construction phase, there are some samples that show differences related either to their different function or to the fact that they come from different construction phases or restoration works. The raw materials used are related to the geology of the area and are fully compatible with the pyroclastic deposits of Vesuvius.