Alberto De Bonis | Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II" (original) (raw)

Papers by Alberto De Bonis

Construction and Building Materials, Dec 31, 2023

Archaeometry, May 6, 2023

79 samples of black glazed pottery, Terra sigillata, fine common ware, and production indicators ... more 79 samples of black glazed pottery, Terra sigillata, fine common ware, and production indicators were recovered in the archaeological site of Cales and investigated via a multi‐analytical program (polarized light microscopy, thermal analyses, XRPD, XRF, FESEM, FESEM‐EDS). Among the materials, finds of important production indicators, represented by welded pieces of black glazed pottery and spacers, attest a local production.Polarized light microscopy shows that the inclusions consist of feldspar, quartz, mica, calcite, and lithic fragments of both volcanic and sedimentary nature. Additional information about the mineralogical assemblage comes from the XRPD that revealed the presence of neoformed Ca‐silicates, indicating equivalent firing temperatures ranging from 750 to 1050°C.All the samples show a Ca‐rich character and an extreme compositional homogeneity, including the production indicators. The comparison with some Ca‐rich Campanian clay raw materials shows a greater affinity with the Mio‐Pliocene marine clay sediments of the Apennine sector, which include local clays. This allowed us to formulate the first hypotheses about clay sources used to produce fine pottery during the third century BCE to the early imperial period in Cales.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Excavations at the north-eastern side of the city Cumae (modern Cuma) brought to light the Tomba ... more Excavations at the north-eastern side of the city Cumae (modern Cuma) brought to light the Tomba del Banchetto per l’Eternità, a hypogeum chamber tomb with vaulted ceiling built in tuff blocks dated back to the first decades of the 1st century BCE. The exceptional nature of the discovery, resembling an Oscan tradition, is due to the peculiar decorative scheme, reporting a banquet scene and three funerary beds along with a table, reproducing a sort of triclinium.The investigation performed on decorated plasters, in situ by a spectroscopic approach and in-lab via minero-petrographic techniques, allowed us to infer the production technology of wall paintings and mortar-based support, and the type of pigments used for decorating the tomb.The multi-layered plasters were made with specific mix-designs in the different part of the tomb; similarly, different painting techniques were adopted according to the architectural scheme. In the lower part of the walls, lime cocciopesto mortars adher...

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Sep 9, 2019

CONGRESSO SGI-SIMP 2014, 2014

La ceramica per la storia di Neapolis e del litorale flegreo (IV a.C.-VII sec. d.C.). Dagli scavi di San Lorenzo Maggiore ad oggi, Oct 1, 2016

International audienc

Data in Brief, 2021

The present article provides chemical, paleontological and mineralogical data obtained during an ... more The present article provides chemical, paleontological and mineralogical data obtained during an archaeometric characterization of 40 samples (33 pottery sherds, 5 clay samples, 1 sand sample and 1 red earth pigment) collected in the Via dei Sepolcri ceramic workshop in Pompeii, Italy. The workshop was still active during the 79 CE eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and the archaeometric data obtained in our investigation reveal distinct differences between pottery and geological

The data here reported are associated to a recent archaeometric investigation, whose results are ... more The data here reported are associated to a recent archaeometric investigation, whose results are accurately exposed and discussed in the following papers: - Grifa et al., A pottery workshop in Pompeii unveils new insights on the Roman ceramics crafting tradition and raw materials trade. Journal of Archaeological Science 126 (2021) 105305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2020.105305 - Grifa et al., Archaeometric data from the Via dei Sepolcri ceramic workshop in Pompeii (Southern Italy). Data in Brief, in press. This investigation was carried out on 33 pottery fragments (both fired and unfired) collected in the Via dei Sepolcri workshop in Pompeii (Italy) along with 5 clay samples, 1 volcanic sand sample and 1 red earth pigment considered to be possible geological raw materials and additional materials used in ceramic manufacturing. The present dataset is composed of supplementary tables and tabulated raw data of figures (.csv format). For further details, refer to the above mentioned papers.

$Research paper thumbnail of Using X-ray Fluorescence and Diffraction to Elucidate Source Materials and Firing Conditions of Pompeian Ceramics$

Il Pianeta Dinamico: sviluppi e prospettive a 100 anni da Wegener - Congresso congiunto SIMP-AIV-... more Il Pianeta Dinamico: sviluppi e prospettive a 100 anni da Wegener - Congresso congiunto SIMP-AIV-SoGeI-SGI - Firenze 2-4 Settembre 2015 Poster Presentation: S15 – The geosciences for Cultural Heritage and Archaeometry: consolidated and innovative approaches

A Roman luxury villa (1 century BC) was discovered in the town of Positano, in the Sorrento penin... more A Roman luxury villa (1 century BC) was discovered in the town of Positano, in the Sorrento peninsula (Campania region, southern Italy). Despite being more than 20 km away from Vesuvius, the villa was buried under almost overall 20 meters (total thickness) of pyclastic materials of the Plinian eruption of 79 AD, which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum towns. The exceptional level of conservation of this residential complex is due to the peculiar burial process, which determined the excellent state of preservation of both the fresco decorations (Fourth Style) and all other artefacts (masonries, plasters, tiles, furnishing remains, wooden elements, kitchenware, glazed oil lamps, bronze vessels and other metallic findings, etc.). This study presents the results of a multi-analytical archaeometric analysis of plasters, fresco pigments and roof tiles, aimed at identifying their mineralogical and petrographic nature and the provenance of raw materials. Constraints to the geoarchaeological...

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2019

Archaeological excavations carried out in the sites of Rione Terra and Via Fascione in Pozzuoli (... more Archaeological excavations carried out in the sites of Rione Terra and Via Fascione in Pozzuoli (ancient Puteoli, Italy) unearthed samples of Red Slip Ware attributed to Terra Sigillata from Puteoli and Produzione A della Baia di Napoli, which are among the most important ceramic classes produced in Campania region and circulating in the Roman Empire from the 1st century BCE. Archaeometric analyses performed on twenty-one samples highlighted that stylistic and typological features are connected to technological ones, permitting to clearly distinguish the two different productions. The samples of Terra Sigillata showed fine-grained ceramic bodies, high-CaO content (on average 15.6 wt%), abundant microfossils along with quartz, feldspar and micas. The thin red slip, present on both inner and outer surfaces, appears sintered and well preserved. Sintering degree and mineralogical assemblages suggest that the artefacts experienced high firing temperatures (often exceeding 900°C). On the other hand, the Produzione A samples contain a lower micro-fossils amount and rare volcanic grains. The vessels are covered by a thinner and non-sintered red slip compared to that of Terra Sigillata. Mineralogy and microstructures of the ceramic bodies also suggested lower firing temperatures (850-900°C). Then, the technology and the exploited clayey raw material were different in the production areas probably highlighting different cultural influences as well as different commercial paths. Finally, the comparison with available data on italic Red Slip Ware allowed us to find some key-parameter for discerning the most important production areas.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Heritage

The paper presents the first archaeometric results on a selection of ancient Roman coins (antonin... more The paper presents the first archaeometric results on a selection of ancient Roman coins (antoniniani) from a treasure found in the Roman necropolis area of ancient Cumae (Southern Italy) during archaeological campaigns by the Centre Jean Bérard. A multi-analytical approach consisting of non-destructive techniques (stereomicroscopy, FESEM-EDS, pXRF, Raman, μ-CT) was implemented on the better-preserved coins of the treasure in order to investigate the chemical composition of the alloy. Chemical analysis showed that the Roman mint prepared the metal with an argentiferous lead–bronze alloy. A group of coins presents a low content of the precious metal, which is in agreement with the financial crisis of the Roman Empire of the third century. Another group of two coins shows a higher silver content, which is in agreement with their issue or with the Mediolanum mint standards. In addition, the external layers of corroded coins were analysed to explore the state of conservation of the pati...

Construction and Building Materials, Dec 31, 2023

Archaeometry, May 6, 2023

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Sep 9, 2019

CONGRESSO SGI-SIMP 2014, 2014

La ceramica per la storia di Neapolis e del litorale flegreo (IV a.C.-VII sec. d.C.). Dagli scavi di San Lorenzo Maggiore ad oggi, Oct 1, 2016

International audienc

Data in Brief, 2021

$Research paper thumbnail of Using X-ray Fluorescence and Diffraction to Elucidate Source Materials and Firing Conditions of Pompeian Ceramics$

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2019

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Heritage

Forum Archaeologiae, 2017

European Meeting on Ancient Ceramics - EMAC 2017 - Bordeaux (France), 2017

Black-glaze pottery is a fine ware produced throughout the Mediterranean between the 6th and the ... more Black-glaze pottery is a fine ware produced throughout the Mediterranean between the 6th and the 2nd c. B.C. This pottery is characterised by the typical black coating and encompasses a variety of shapes used in the everyday life, influenced by both Attic tradition and local impulses.
Since 2007 the interdisciplinary cooperation between archaeologists from different istitutions and geologists of the archaeometry research teams at Federico II University of Naples and Sannio University has made possible to analyse black-glaze samples, from the 5th to the 2nd c. B.C., collected in different sites of the Tyrrhenian coast of southern Italy: Cuma, Neapolis, Fratte, Pontecagnano, Paestum, Moio della Civitella, and Laos.
Samples were analysed via mineralogical-petrographic techniques, such as polarised light microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, in order to investigate both provenance and technological features. Whenever possible, production indicators (i.e., wasters, kiln furniture) and local raw materials were also analysed and compared with pottery in order to better identify local reference groups from the imported products.
The results showed the existence of local productions of black-glaze, but also the intense circulation of this kind of pottery among different sites. However, this study also highlighted some problems in analysing and interpreting this pottery. As fine ware, distinctive inclusions are not easily identifiable at microscope and also chemical analyses could be biased due to the possible preparation processes of the clays (i.e., levigation, mixing), which likely modified the original composition. The study once again evidenced the utility to compare a significant number of samples, selected from different sites, through an interdisciplinary and multi-analytical approach necessary to achieve satisfying results.

Colorimetry and accelerated aging tests were performed on ceramics prepared using two clays from ... more Colorimetry and accelerated aging tests were performed on ceramics prepared using two clays from the Bay of Naples (Ischia and Sorrento Peninsula). Visible-near infrared spectroscopy was applied in order to acquire further information on color and composition of ceramics. Different mix designs and firing dynamics were adopted in order to provide information on the control of aesthetic features of ancient building ceramics.
Color depends on firing temperature and physical-chemical composition of the raw materials. Low-CaO concentration provided a more intense reddish hue at high temperatures (over 950 °C). Black core developed in high-CaO ceramic samples fired at low temperatures, except for those containing high temper amounts.
Salt crystallization test showed that high-CaO ceramics are more durable starting from relatively low firing temperatures (over 850 °C).

This study deals with the characterization of ancient hydraulic mortars from the Piscina Mirabili... more This study deals with the characterization of ancient hydraulic mortars from the Piscina Mirabilis, the Roman Cistern of Miseno (1st century B.C.) in Campania, Italy. This research was performed in collaboration with archeologists and Superintendence of Archeological Heritage of Campania. Results confirmed that the Roman engineers extensively used coarse tuff aggregate, hydrated lime fresh water, and cocciopesto. The typical mineralogical association of phillipsite > chabazite > analcime, points out the provenance of the tuff aggregate from the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff (NYT), which is the product of a Phlegraen fields eruption dating back to about 15,000 years ago. Extremely interesting is the composition of the cementiceous binding matrix, with the ontemporary presence of gel-like C-S-A-H, calcite, gypsum and finally tobermorite.

un fondo piatto di forma chiusa stracotto (tipo olla) di ceramica comune culinaria (CJB16) e un f... more un fondo piatto di forma chiusa stracotto (tipo olla) di ceramica comune culinaria (CJB16) e un fondo di patina di ceramica a vernice rossa interna (CJB13) di forma indeterminata.

9 : 1 5 S a l u t i M. B e r n a r d i n i -Di r e o r e Di p a r t i me n t o As i a Af r i c a ... more 9 : 1 5 S a l u t i M. B e r n a r d i n i -Di r e o r e Di p a r t i me n t o As i a Af r i c a Me d i t e r r a n e o M. D' Ac u n t o -Di r e o r e mi s s i o n e d i s c a v o a

by Marina Ugarković, Alberto De Bonis, Priscilla Munzi, Institut za arheologiju, Zagreb, Małgorzata Daszkiewicz, Albert Ribera, Patricia Kögler, Andrea Gaucci, Diana Dobreva, Daniela Cottica, Francesca Diosono, and Antonia Serritella

Archeological campaigns along the track of the Domitian road in Cuma resulted in the recovery of ... more Archeological campaigns along the track of the Domitian road in Cuma resulted in the recovery of a large amount of pot-shards and crucible fragments (both open and closed forms), covered with residues of blue and green frits, respectively. Typological analysis of the crucibles combined with mineralogi-cal and petrological analyses on the ceramic body and frit residues revealed that the forms are intimately related to the technological data. Newly formed calcium silicates indicate high firing treatments of crucibles during pigment making (not lower than 950°C). In particular, different working temperatures for the two types of crucibles have been estimated by the presence/absence of sodalite-nosean feldspathoid. This mineral formed after the reaction of Si-Al-rich material (the sintered ceramic body) and alkalis transferred to ceramics via chemical diffusion during the pigment synthesis. Thus, the estimated working temperatures are higher for closed forms (>1100°C) and lower for the open ones (950–1050°C). This different thermal treatment perfectly fits with the temperatures of green and blue pigment synthesis; higher temperatures for green pigments allowed the formation of abundant Cu-bearing glassy phase, whereas, blue pigment is prone to the formation and thermal stability of cuprorivaite crystals (950–1050°C). Moreover, the two frits showed similar recipes (quartz-feldspar-calcite-rich sand) with the exception of more abundant Cu-bearing colorant agent in blue hue and higher proportion of alkaline flux in green frit. The obtained data suggested that crucibles were a fundamental tool for pigment manufacturing, likely one of the best example of ancient technical ceramics, as they permitted controlling the temperatures along with the fuel and the treatment time. Combining analytical and archeological data, the production and the technology of the two colored compounds identified as Egyptian Blue and Green frits in ancient Cuma has been inferred. Finally, considering the Vitruvius excerpt that identified an Egyptian Blue production in Puteoli, the area of production can be widen up to the northern Phlegraean Fields, also including Cumae and Liternum.