Archaeometric characterisation of amphorae from the Late Antique city of Iluro (Mataró, Spain)

A large number of transport amphorae coming from various Late Antique archaeological contexts in Mataró (Catalonia, Spain) have been analysed, in order to characterise the materials, investigate the diversity of fabrics and shed light on their provenance. A total of 96 individuals were subjected to petrographic (OM), chemical (XRF) and mineralogical (XRD) analysis. The results prove that the majority of the amphorae are related to a northern African provenance (Tunisian mainly), with several different fabrics that, in some cases, can be associated with specific production centres. Also a large number of southern Hispanic fabrics, in particular from the Baetican area, have been identified. In addition, some eastern Mediterranean and Balearic fabrics have been characterised, as well as a few fabrics for which a local/regional production can be proposed. The results indicate the presence of many different chemical-petrographic compositions from each of these regions and provide, thus, an insight into the variety of transport amphorae that arrived to the Late Antique urban centre of Iluro

Archaeometric analysis of Late Roman amphorae from Africa in the ancient city of Iluro (Mataró, Catalonia, Spain)

In this paper, the results of the archaeometric study of an assemblage of Late Roman amphorae, found in several contexts from the ancient city of Iluro (Mataró, Catalonia, Spain) and with a presumable origin in Roman Africa, is presented. A total of 57 samples have been analysed, by means of optical microscopy (thin-section analysis), X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction, in order to obtain an integrated petrographic, chemical and mineralogical characterisation and, from this data, to shed light on their provenance. The results indicate the presence of a large number of fabrics, most of them with a Tunisian provenance; a fabric probably from Algeria was also found, as well as a few chemical-petrographic loners that should be related to a provenance out of Africa. Concerning the Tunisian fabrics, the comparison with data from production centres allows for a more precise provenance hypothesis for many of them. These results are useful for the study of the trade networks of Iluro in Late Antiquity, since they provide new evidence on the diversity of transport amphorae that were arriving to this urban centre in Hispania Tarraconensis, showing a more complex reality than initially suggested by the archaeological evidence

Investigating the provenance of the Baetican amphorae Dressel 23: new archaeometric evidence from Late Roman consumption centres

Baetican amphorae of the type Dressel 23 found in Late Roman consumption centres from the northeastern Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands were archaeometrically investigated in order to characterise the materials and examine their provenance. A combination of analytical techniques was used, including optical microscopy (thin-section analysis), X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results show two main fabrics and a number of other less represented fabrics. Some of these fabrics comprise all the samples of the variants Dressel 23a and 23c, and can be related to a provenance in the Guadalquivir/Genil valleys, while other fabrics include all the Dressel 23d samples and their provenance must be situated in the coastal area of Málaga, based on their petrographic composition and the integration of the archaeological information. Some samples of Almagro 51A-B amphorae are also analysed, and show the same chemical-petrographic composition as the Dressel 23d individuals, this indicating that they both come from the same workshops. The results suggest that the arrival of Dressel 23 amphorae from the Málaga area to the analysed consumption centres may have been more significant in the Late Roman period than usually acknowledged

Amphora production in the Guadalquivir valley (Spain) during the Late Roman period: petrographic, mineralogical, and chemical characterization of reference groups

This paper presents a scientific analysis of Late Roman amphorae from four kiln sites located in the Guadalquivir river basin: Azanaque-Castillejo (AZ), Isla de la Barqueta (IB), Las MonjasSoto del Rey (SR) and Picachos (PIC). This region was a significant producer and exporter of oil in the Roman Empire and also during the Late Roman period. The amphorae analyzed belong to type Dressel 23 and were used for trading oil to other Mediterranean regions. A total of 36 amphora samples were analyzed by using a combination of instrumental analytical techniques, including thin-section optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence, in order to establish reference groups based on the petrographic, mineralogical and chemical characterization of the materials. The amphorae from the four kiln sites showed approximately similar petrographic fabrics and chemical compositions, as well as strong technological similarities. However, there are slight petrographic and/or chemical differences that allowed for the differentiation of three reference groups (AZ, SR and IB-PIC). These groups were also compared with existing reference groups for Early Roman amphorae in the same area, and compositional differences were also observed. This is the first time that compositional reference groups for Late Roman amphora kiln sites in the Guadalquivir valley are characterized. Hence, the results of this research not only contribute new evidence on the study of oil-amphora production in this region, but they will also serve as a basis for the identification and sourcing of these amphorae in consumption sites and, consequently, for a better understanding of trade networks during the Late Roman perio

Arqueología para un futuro incierto: un debate abierto

En el marco de la celebración del 50.º aniversario de la revista Pyrenae (1965-2015), próximos además al centenario de la lección inaugural de Bosch Gimpera en la Universitat de Barcelona que se celebrará en 2016, y en unos momentos en que el futuro de la arqueología está siendo seriamente amenazado, parecía oportuno reflexionar sobre el modelo de arqueología y su desarrollo en España durante los últimos decenios

Cooking and common wares in the Late Antique rural site of Plaça Major de Castellar del Vallès (Catalonia, Spain): archaeometric characterization

This paper presents an archaeometric analysis of utilitarian ceramics from a Late Antique rural site in the area of Vallès (Catalonia, Spain), with the aim of investigating their provenance and shedding light on some aspects of their production technology. A total of 55 samples of cooking and common wares were analyzed using a combination of instrumental analytical techniques, including thin-section optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and WD-X-ray fluorescence, in order to carry out a petrographic, mineralogical, and chemical characterization of the materials. A variety of petrographic fabrics were identified, generally composed of inclusions derived from granitic rocks, along with metamorphic inclusions in many cases. This variability is not related either to ceramic typologies or to chronological phases but to slight variations in the raw materials and/or paste recipes. Compositional similarities point to a broadly common origin for a large part of the ceramic assemblage. All fabrics identified may be compatible with the hypothesis of a local provenance, although a wider regional provenance cannot be excluded on geological grounds. This study is a step forward into the understanding of cooking and common ware production in northeastern Iberia during Late Antiquity

Archaeometric characterization of Late Antique pottery from the rural site of Ses Païsses de Cala d'Hort (Eivissa, Balearic Islands, Spain)

This paper presents the results of an archaeometric characterization of Late Roman Pottery from a rural site on the island of Eivissa (Balearic Islands, Spain). The ceramic samples, including common wares, amphorae and cooking wares, have been analysed using X-ray fluorescence for the chemical characterization, optical microscopy by thin-section analysis for the mineralogical and petrographic characterization, and X-ray diffraction for the mineralogical analysis.The results show the importance of local/regional production for the common wares and amphorae, while for the cooking wares, all the materials are imported, including some fabrics widely distributed in the Western Mediterranean

Caracterización arqueométrica de la cerámica común producida en la villa romana de Sa Mesquida (Mallorca)

En la villa romana de 5a Mesquida, situada en el oeste de Mallorca, se han localizado hasta la fecha un horno y dos escombreras que indican la producción de cerámica común en el yacimiento. El presente artículo expone los resultados de la caracterización arqueométrica por fluorescencia de rayos x, difracción de rayos X y microscopía óptica mediante lámina delgada. El estudio permite determinar el grupo de referencia de la producción del taller para su posterior utilización en trabajos de difusión y comercio cerámico. A su vez, constituye el primer grupo de referencia sobre cerámica romana producida en la isla. Se constata también la existencia de algunas contaminaciones y alteraciones que presenta la cerámica calcárea cocida a alta temperatura.In the Roman Villa of 5a Mesquida, located on the west site of Majorca, one kiln and two kiln damps have been found, indicating the existence of coarse ware production on the site. The subject of this paper is to present the results of the archaeometrical characterization of the locally produced ceramics, by means of X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction and Optical Microscopy by thin section analysis. The study enabled, on the one hand, the characterization of the reference group of the kiln site production, which is, to date, the first identified reference group of Roman ceramies on the island. On the other hand, it has also enabled the identification of sorne alteration and contamination problems, which are detected in the high- and over-fired calcareous ceramics