Petrographic and Chemical–Mineralogical Characterization of Mortars from the Cistern at Amaiur Castle (Navarre, Spain)

Mortars from the cistern in Amaiur Castle (Navarre, Spain) were analysed to assess the mortar manufacturing process and application techniques. To this end, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman microspectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were performed. The study of both structural and plaster mortars from Amaiur Castle cistern show patterns/rules in the mortar manufacture according to the specific construction requirements. A multilayer application technique was used for the construction of the cistern tank. Deliberate selection of the aggregate nature and grading contributed to mortar impermeability. Ceramic and silico-aluminous rock fragments were used as aggregates in the cistern tank to confer hydraulicity to the mortars, instead of carbonated aggregates as used in the vault. Aluminosilicated phases present in the aggregates led to the formation of amesite, which is a magnesium aluminosilicate hydrate (M-A-S-H) phase conferring hydraulicity to the mortar. Two types of additives were identified in the outer pigmented layer of plaster. Beeswax was the identified organic additive used to improve the impermeability of mortar, while hematite was the identified inorganic additive giving rise to the reddish colour of the layer.This research was funded by the IT1193-13 project of the Basque Government

Hydrotalcite and Hydrocalumite in Mortar Binders from the Medieval Castle of Portilla (Álava, North Spain): Accurate Mineralogical Control to Achieve More Reliable Chronological Ages

Mortars from different stratigraphic units at Portilla Castle (Alava, North Spain) have been analyzed for mineralogical characterization before radiocarbon dating. The mortar binder at Portilla Castle is composed not only of neoformation calcite but also of double-layered hydroxide (LDH) minerals such as hydrotalcite and hydrocalumite. The mineralogy of several fractions of the binder has been analyzed to determine the granulometric distribution of minerals in the binder. The continuous monitoring of mineralogy during the extraction of different grain size fractions has been performed by using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Hydrotalcite and hydrocalumite-bearing mortar binders give older ages than expected since they introduce dead carbon into the system.This research was possible thanks to the financial support of SAI13/106 research project of Basque Country Government

Trade Networks in the Neighbouring Roman Provinces of Aquitania-Tarraconensis on the Bay of Biscay: Evidence from Petrographic and Chemical Analyses of Common Coarse Ware Pottery

Common non-wheel-thrown Roman pottery from the southern Aquitania and north-eastern of Tarraconensis provinces (CNT-AQTA) of the Early and Later Roman Empire (1st to 5th centuries AD) has been studied. Petrological, mineralogical, and chemical analyses were conducted to contrast with the archaeological study of the pottery. The chemical composition of many pottery samples displays different patterns of burial chemical modification, limiting their use for provenance and diffusion studies. Particular emphasis has been paid to the petrographic features of the fabrics, as they do not change during burial, reflecting the nature of the raw material and making it possible to identify the provenance areas of the raw materials. Around the Bay of Biscay, the same pottery tradition continued in the neighbouring provinces during Roman times. Petrographic studies make it possible to determine the distribution of pottery and the changes in trade networks during the Roman period across the area of the Bay of Biscay being studied.This research was funded by Fundación José Miguel de Barandiaran Fundazioa, grant number 2004, and the Basque Country government, grant number IT1442-22. The APC was funded by the Basque Country government, grant number IT1442-22

Petrologia eta mineralogiaren erabilera zeramika arkeologikoen azterketan

Arazo arkeologikoei irtenbideren bat aurkitzeko erabiltzen diren teknika fisiko-kimikoen multzoari Arkeometria deritzo. Zeramika arkeologikoen ikerketetan, alde batetik, teknologiari buruzko informazioa lortzeko erabiltzen dira eta bestetik, zeramikak egiteko erabiltzen diren lehengaien jatorriari buruzko datuak ateratzeko. Beraz, lan honetan aurkeztuko diren analisi-metodoak dira xafla mehearen petrografia eta x izpien difrakzioa, alegia, geologia arloko oinarrizko metodoak. Ikerketa-metodo hauek, buztin zeramikoen bai iturburuari buruzko bai manufaktura teknikarekin loturiko alderdiei buruzko informazioa eman dezakete. Mikroskopioaren bidez zeramika arkeologikoen osagaiak eta hauen ehundurak ikusiz, argibideak atera daitezke zeramikagintzari buruz eta aldeko kasuetan buztinen iturburuari buruz. X izpien difrakzioak erreketan gertatzen diren aldaketa mineralogikoak kontuan hartuta (mineral batzuen ezegonkortzea eta desegitea eta beste batzuen neoformazioa), erreketa-tenperatura zein izan den ondoriozta daiteke

Compositional Characterization and Chronology of Roman Mortars from the Archaeological Site of Arroyo De La Dehesa De Velasco (Burgo De Osma- Ciudad De Osma, Soria, Spain)

This study characterises the mortar materials used in the construction of walls and floors at the Arroyo de la Dehesa de Velasco site, located near the Roman city of Uxama Argaela (the modern Burgo de Osma—Ciudad de Osma, Soria, Spain). Multilayer mortars have been characterised by petrographic, mineralogical (X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive analyses and geochemical analysis (X-ray fluorescence). Additionally, radiocarbon dating of the mortar binder fraction was performed in order to establish the chronology of the building in the absence of other archaeological chronological records. The results showed that similar siliceous aggregates and lime binders were used in the fabrication of multilayer system mortars. Some multilayer wall mortars show ceramic fragments or brick powder to produce hydraulic mortars and improve the resistance to moisture. The raw materials used for the construction of the site were of local origin and the construction was built during the first century BC, according to radiocarbon dating.This study was partially supported by the T1193-13 project of the Basque Country Government

Strontium and oxygen isotopes to trace mobility routes during the Bell Beaker period in the north of Spain

[EN]Strontium and oxygen isotopes of individuals from El Hundido and Valdescusa (north of Spain) sites, corresponding to the Bell Beaker culture, were analysed in order to determine mobility patterns and provenance areas. Strontium and oxygen isotope ratios in three teeth from two individuals at El Hundido and two teeth from the five individuals at Valdescusa were studied. The analyses were performed in both dentine and enamel fractions. Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios of El Hundido individuals indicate one was of foreign origin and the other was local whereas at Valdescusa were all of foreign provenance. Calculated delta O-18(w) values of El Hundido suggest a provenance from the geographical area close to the site while the Valdescusa would come from a warmer region. The comparison of oxygen and strontium isotope signatures indicate the west of the Iberian Peninsula (Zamora or the east of Leon regions) as the provenance area for the foreign individual at El Hundido and southwest France (Garonne basin) as the region of provenance for the Valdescusa.This work has been supported financially by Research Group IT1193-19 and PIBA 2018_1_0053 research projects of the Government of the Basque Country

Isotope analyses to explore diet and mobility in a medieval Muslim population at Tauste (NE Spain)

The Islamic necropolis discovered in Tauste (Zaragoza, Spain) is the only evidence that a large Muslim community lived in the area between the 8th and 10th centuries. A multi-isotope approach has been used to investigate the mobility and diet of this medieval Muslim population living in a shifting frontier region. Thirty-one individuals were analyzed to determine delta N-15, delta C-13, delta O-18 and Sr-87/Sr-86 composition. A combination of strontium and oxygen isotope analysis indicated that most individuals were of local origin although three females and two males were non-local. The non-local males would be from a warmer zone whereas two of the females would be from a more mountainous geographical region and the third from a geologically-different area. The extremely high delta(15) N baseline at Tauste was due to bedrock composition (gypsum and salt). High individual delta(15) N values were related to the manuring effect and consumption of fish. Adult males were the most privileged members of society in the medieval Muslim world and, as isotope data reflected, consumed more animal proteins than females and young males.Research Group GIU15/34 of the University of the Basque provided support to MO, XM, Country-UPV/EHU, http://www.ehu.eus/es/web/ikerkuntza. IT315-10 Research Group of the Basque Country Government provided support to IG LO MCZ, http://www.hezkuntza.ejgv.euskadi.eus/r43-5553/es/

Isotopo egonkorrak elikadura eta mugikortasun ikerketetan: Erdi Aroko zenbait aztarnategiren kasuak.

The isotope relations measured in human bone and teeth (87Sr/86Sr, δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O) are used to rebuild diet and mobility patterns. Carbon and nitrogen isotopes applied on the collagen from human and fauna bones are used to study the diet. On the other hand, strontium and oxygen isotope relations measured in the teeth have been used in human mobility studies. This work also shows the results of three archaeological sites of Middle Age to see the application of these methods. The used archaeological sites have been San Juan de Momoitio (Biscay), Tauste (Zaragoza) and Las Gobas (Treviño).; Gizakien hezur eta hortzetan neurtutako isotopo-erlazioak (87Sr/86Sr, δ13C, δ15N eta δ18O) antzinako gizakien elikadura eta mugikortasun-ereduak berreraikitzeko erabiltzen dira. Gizakien elikaduraren berri izateko, gizaki eta faunaren hezurretik lortutako kolagenoan karbono eta nitrogeno isotopoen analisiak egiten dira. Gainera, gizaki eta animalien mugikortasunari buruzko informazioa lortzeko, hezur eta hortzetan neurtutako estrontzio eta oxigenoen isotopo-erlazioak erabiltzen dira. Isotopo hauek duten aplikazioa ikusteko Erdi Aroko hiru aztarnategiren emaitzak deskribatuko dira, Momoitioko San Juan (Bizkaia), Tauste (Zaragoza) eta Las Gobasekoak (Trebiñuko Konderria), hain zuzen ere