Archaeological and archaeometric study of the glass finds from the ancient harbour of Classe (Ravenna- Italy): new evidence

Introduction: The present study focuses on Late-Roman/Early Medieval glass found in the productive area within the ancient harbour of Classe near Ravenna, one of the most important trade centres between the 5th and 8th centuries AD of the Northern Adriatic area. Aims of the study were the identification of the main glass compositions and their contextualisation in Late-Antique groups; the identification of provenance of raw glass, and, consequently, of commercial routes; the extent, if any, of recycling glass cullet, as an alternative to the import of fresh raw glass; the identification of possible connections between archaeological typology and glass chemical composition. Results: 32 glassworking wastes and 25 drinking vessel fragments for a total amount of 57 fragments were devoted to chemical analysis in XRF and EPMA. All the analysed fragments are silica-soda lime glasses, produced with natron as a flux, and are compositionally similar to Late-Antique groups HIMT, S\ue9rie 3.2 and Levantine1. Raw glass chunks, glassworking wastes and objects of comparable compositions are identified into HIMT and S\ue9rie 3.2 groups, while the Levantine 1 group includes only objects and glassworking wastes. Systematic comparisons between Classe and Aquileia, the two most important Late-Antique archaeological sites of North-Eastern Italy, were also carried out, and the same compositional groups were identified, although S\ue9rie 3.2 in the Classe assemblage is more represented. Sr and Nd isotopic analysis confirmed that the composition of the three glasses derive from coastal sands of the Syro-Palestinian and Egyptian shore, with a slight shift in comparison to the published data. Little evidence of recycling was identified in the assemblage. Conclusions: In the 5th century, a secondary glass workshop devoted to the shaping of glass vessels starting from raw glass chunks and, possibly, glass cullet, was active in the area of the harbour. Raw glass of HIMT and S\ue9rie 3.2 was imported from the Levant and Egypt. Comparisons between Classe and Aquileia show that during the Late Antiquity these sites seem to be supplied of raw glass by the same trade routes. In addition, some connections between types and chemical compositions were highlighted

Correlation between microbiological contamination of the environment and the care-associated infections (ICAs) in public (hospital care) and private (nursing homes and/or home care) facilities.

This experimental study aims to evaluate the effect of a new cleaning procedure based on the mechanism of biocontrol in comparison with conventional chemical cleaning protocols, on the presence and survival of several microorganisms responsible for “hospital-acquired infections” (HAIs) (i.e. Staphylococcus species, Enterobacteriacea, Pseudomonas species, Acinetobacter species, Candida species and Clostridium difficile) on hard surfaces in healthcare settings (hospitals and nursing homes). The effect of biocontrol is obtained by probiotic cleaning, containing spores of American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) Bacillus species. The ATCC Bacillus species are safe, non-pathogenic and awarded the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status by the US Food and Drug Administration. The results obtained “in vitro” (under contamination-controlled conditions) show that their effectiveness is not affected by the type of surface treated, for example stoneware, ceramics, rubber or plastics. Results in field were evaluated over 30 months within inpatient wards, situated principally in medical units, in 13 Italian hospitals and 4 nursing homes. These data have shown that, compared to traditional chemical-based disinfectants, the effect of the probiotic-based product led to a high reduction of the microbial load of potential pathogens with a stable effect over time. 18,232 microbial surface samples are collected by technique count plate. Of the 18,232 samples, only 13,003 are obtained 7 hours after the time of daily sanitization, having been subjected to this process utilizing a mathematic model (algorithm). The experimental study indicates that the use of probiotic bacilli significantly reduces the pathogenic microbial load on contaminated surfaces, and that the effect is more prolonged and stable than that used by chemical disinfectants. An impact on the microbial surface remodeling in the nosocomial environment is observed, showing both a reduction in potential pathogens and infectious events. There is a correlation between the microbiological contamination of the environment and the care-associated infections (HAIs) which can be controlled with a new approach based on bio-stabilization technology due to the probiotic capacity of the "competitive exclusion" phenomenon. The “competitive exclusion” is the inevitable elimination from a habitat of one of two different species with identical needs for resources.Questo studio sperimentale ha lo scopo di valutare l'effetto di una nuova procedura di pulizia basata sul meccanismo del biocontrollo rispetto ai convenzionali protocolli di pulizia chimica, sulla presenza e sulla sopravvivenza di diversi microrganismi responsabili delle infezioni correlate all’assistenza (ICA) (Staphyloccus spp., Enterobacteriacea, Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp., Candida spp. e Clostridium difficile) su superfici dure in una struttura sanitaria (ospedali e case di cura). L'effetto del biocontrollo si ottiene con la pulizia probiotica, contenente spore di Bacillus provenienti da American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). Le specie Bacillus ATCC sono sicure, non patogene e hanno ottenuto lo status di GRAS (Generalmente riconosciuto come sicuro) dalla Food and Drug Administration statunitense. I risultati ottenuti ‘in vitro’ (in condizioni controllate della contaminazione) mostrano che la loro efficacia non è influenzata dal tipo di superficie trattata, quale grès, ceramica, gomma o materiali plastici. In campo i risultati ottenuti dal monitoraggio nei reparti di degenza, soprattutto del Dipartimento di Medicina, hanno interessato 13 ospedali e 4 case di cura per 30 mesi. 18232 campioni di superficie microbica sono raccolti mediante piastra di conteggio tecnica. Solo 13003 sono campioni ottenuti dopo 7 ore dal momento della sanificazione giornaliera, che sono stati sottoposti a questa elaborazione utilizzando un modello matematico (algoritmo). Lo studio sperimentale indica che l'uso di microrganismi probiotici riduce significativamente il carico microbico patogeno sulle superfici contaminate e che l'effetto è più prolungato e stabile di quello esercitato dai disinfettanti chimici. È stato verificato un cambiamento della contaminazione microbica nell'ambiente nosocomiale, osservando una riduzione di potenziali patogeni e una riduzione degli eventi infettivi. Esiste una correlazione tra la contaminazione microbiologica dell'ambiente e le infezioni associate all'assistenza (HAI) che possono essere controllate con il nuovo approccio basato su una tecnica di biostabilizzazione, dovuta alla capacità dei probiotici del fenomeno di “esclusione competitiva”. L “esclusione competitiva” è l'inevitabile eliminazione dall'habitat di una delle due diverse specie con identici bisogni di risorse

Gambassini on the road. Underpinning evidence for a medieval widespread glass production in the north Adriatic area

The paper discusses historic, chrono-typological and archaeometric data related to two assemblages of late medieval drinking glass vessels from the monastic complex of San Severo (Ravenna, Italy) and the castle of Rontana (province of Ravenna, Italy). Though standing as different types of settlements, the two sites are linked by the occurrence of a specific beaker among unearthed finds, known as gambassino (or ganbasino) and named after Gambassi, a location in the province of Florence, in Tuscany, believed to be the place where the manufacture of the gambassini originated. The present study, carried out through an integrated use of different disciplines, has provided insights into the production and circulation of this form, extremely common in the late medieval period. Comparative chrono-typological study highlighted no relevant morphological differences among assemblages, with recurrent sizes and decorative patterns. Archaeometric study allowed the identification of various compositional groups pointing to different vitrifying and fluxing agents, although all samples can be classified as plant ash glass; chemical data also show comparability between the gambassini from both sites here considered and Medieval glass sets from the Adriatic area found on the Italian territory and in the Balkans. The displacements of artisans and the circulation of raw materials, the recurrence of this beaker in numerous excavation contexts in the northern Adriatic area - with evidence from the Balkans and Europe - as well as the identification of compositional groups different from each other, but overlapping among assemblages, support the model of a \u201cwidespread production\u201d of gambassini. The proposed scenario is further validated from the economic sustainability point of view, considering the production and supply of an object for everyday use and not exclusively dedicated to the \ue9lites

Obiettivi e focus del progetto PRIN 2009: continuit\ue0 e discontinuit\ue0 nelle produzioni vetrarie altoadriatiche tra il IX sec. a.C. e il XIV sec. d.C.

Riassunto presentato al VII Congresso Nazionale di Archeometria, organizzato dall\u2019AIAr, Modena, 22-24 febbraio 201

Once upon a Glass—Cycles, Recycles and Reuses of a Never-Ending Material

Glass can be considered a locus of meaning, a material which has been the repository of traditional knowledge and technological expertise for at least three millennia. The history of glass speaks of know-how, technological transitions, and contaminations of recipes for its manufacture, which have changed across the world over the centuries. As the amount of recovered glass from archaeological contexts is much lower compared to ceramic and metal finds, research has often considered glass as a rare material. Furthermore, glass production, in ancient times as in the present day, requires the use of selected raw materials and noticeable amounts of fuel, making reuse and recycling practices necessary to foster sustainability, from both an economical and an environmental perspective. Latin authors, such as Juvenal and Martial, reported buyers of broken glass in Imperial Rome, presumably destined for recycling. Archaeometry has also provided data that allow, today, to clarify different aspects related to production cycles, uses and reuses of a material that, starting from the Roman age, became as common as modern plastics. From beakers and goblets reused with different purposes to mosaic tesserae detached for making new mosaics or to be refused and employed as “pigments” for colouring glass, this paper aims to provide an overview of reuse and recycling practices of ancient glass through a discussion of selected case studies from Roman to Middle Ages, showing how the cycle of this material can be framed as an actual example of sustainable circular economy in the past

Synergistic combination of multifunctional agents for cosmetic preservation

The preservation of cosmetic products has always been of special interest to the industry; microbial spoilage can lead to product degradation, and in the case of present pathogens, could contribute to a threat to the health of the consumer. In recent years the safety of many traditional preservatives has been questioned by the media and various organisations. Therefore, the cosmetics industry is looking for effective, safe, eco-friendly and sustainable, globally accepted and non-controversial solutions. Due to the current market demand, increasing efforts have been directed towards the research of ‘greener’ and milder ingredients, with favourable toxicological profiles also in the aim to reduce the irritation potential and the risk of sensitisation. To date the research is focused to the investigation of multifunctional antimicrobial agents, enabling the reduction of the number of ingredients and thus toxicological and environmental impact. In the present work, a synergistic mixture of caprylyl glycol and phenethyl alcohol, also endowed with skin emollient and fragrance properties has been investigated. This alternative preservative was found to have excellent antimicrobial activity in different cosmetic formulations whose efficacy is further increased by the addition of chelating agents

La diffusione del vetro nell\u2019Adriatico centrale: studi tipologici e dati chimici da Classe

The aim of this study is to identify the presence of a possible production of glass in the ancient harbour of Classe (Ravenna - Italy), after the redevelopment of the 5thcentury AD. In particular, the Building n. 6 (5th\u2013 8thcentury) has returned a considerable amount of glass objects (vessels and production wastes), probably connected with the small circular kiln identified inside. Just outside of Building n. 6, the dump US 4381 (early 6thcentury AD) allows a typological and compositional comparison, relative to the moment of maximum attendance of the warehouse, with the possibility to identify which forms could be produced inside. The forms identified in both of the contexts are: beakers (Is. 96, 106c and variants with rounded rim), goblets (Is. 111), bowls (Is. 116/117 and variants), lamps (Is. 134 and Uboldi III.2) and production wastes (glass chunk and working debris). The chemical analyses conducted (XRF and EPMA) shows the presence of three compositional groups: HIMT glass (High Iron Manganese Titanium), Serie 3.2 and Levantine I. The presence of glass raw chunks and vessels of HIMT and S\ue9rie 3.2 composition can be interpreted as evidence of a systematic glassworking activity in Classe, although limited to these compositions Few fragments and no raw chunk referable to the chemical group of the Levantine I, are, in fact, identified in Classe, allowing us no consideration about working activities for glass of this composition. Finally, the isotopic analyses have highlighted the likely use of coastal sands typical of the Eastern Mediterranean as raw materials, and this evidence is perfectly compatible with a secondary production (recast of raw glass chunk and recycled materials). This study was carried out within the Italian MIUR PRIN 2009 \u201cContinuit\ue0 e discontinuit\ue0 nelle produzioni vetrarie altoadriatiche tra il IX sec. a.C. e il XIV sec. d.C.\u201d

Archaeological and archaeometric study of the glass finds from the ancient harbour of Classe (Ravenna- Italy): New evidence

Introduction: The present study focuses on Late-Roman/Early Medieval glass found in the productive area within the ancient harbour of Classe near Ravenna, one of the most important trade centres between the 5th and 8th centuries AD of the Northern Adriatic area. Aims of the study were the identification of the main glass compositions and their contextualisation in Late-Antique groups; the identification of provenance of raw glass, and, consequently, of commercial routes; the extent, if any, of recycling glass cullet, as an alternative to the import of fresh raw glass; the identification of possible connections between archaeological typology and glass chemical composition. Results: 32 glassworking wastes and 25 drinking vessel fragments for a total amount of 57 fragments were devoted to chemical analysis in XRF and EPMA. All the analysed fragments are silica-soda lime glasses, produced with natron as a flux, and are compositionally similar to Late-Antique groups HIMT, S\ue9rie 3.2 and Levantine1. Raw glass chunks, glassworking wastes and objects of comparable compositions are identified into HIMT and S\ue9rie 3.2 groups, while the Levantine 1 group includes only objects and glassworking wastes. Systematic comparisons between Classe and Aquileia, the two most important Late-Antique archaeological sites of North-Eastern Italy, were also carried out, and the same compositional groups were identified, although S\ue9rie 3.2 in the Classe assemblage is more represented. Sr and Nd isotopic analysis confirmed that the composition of the three glasses derive from coastal sands of the Syro-Palestinian and Egyptian shore, with a slight shift in comparison to the published data. Little evidence of recycling was identified in the assemblage. Conclusions: In the 5th century, a secondary glass workshop devoted to the shaping of glass vessels starting from raw glass chunks and, possibly, glass cullet, was active in the area of the harbour. Raw glass of HIMT and S\ue9rie 3.2 was imported from the Levant and Egypt. Comparisons between Classe and Aquileia show that during the Late Antiquity these sites seem to be supplied of raw glass by the same trade routes. In addition, some connections between types and chemical compositions were highlighted

Medieval glasses from north Adriatic area: local productions or Venetian importations?

Riassunto presentato al Congresso "Living Glass 2013" organizzato dalla Society of Glass Technology, Cambridge (UK), 11-13th September 2013