Simone Dilaria | Università degli Studi di Padova (original) (raw)

Books by Simone Dilaria

Il volume propone un approccio metodologico innovativo per lo studio delle miscele leganti antich... more Il volume propone un approccio metodologico innovativo per lo studio delle miscele leganti antiche, un materiale da costruzione fino a pochi anni fa poco considerato negli studi sull'architettura classica, e ne sottolinea il potenziale informativo per la ricerca archeologica. Attraverso il campionamento e l'analisi con tecniche avanzate di laboratorio di oltre 370 campioni di malte e calcestruzzi da strutture di età romana e tardo antica dal sito archeologico di Aquileia (Friuli Venezia Giulia) è stato possibile svelare le tecnologie produttive, la provenienza delle materie prime e le dinamiche economico-commerciali e sociali del passato celate nelle "ricette" di uno tra i più antichi geomateriali prodotti dall'Uomo. Simone Dilaria è ricercatore in Archeologia Classica presso il Dipartimento dei Beni Culturali dell'Università di Padova. I suoi ambiti di ricerca riguardano prevalentemente lo studio dei materiali da costruzione antichi attraverso approcci che integrano metodologie archeologiche tradizionali con tecniche archeometriche di analisi laboratoriale. Ha pubblicato numerosi articoli scientifici e partecipato a conferenze internazionali inerenti tematiche di archeologia della costruzione e scienza dei materiali. È inoltre revisore negli ambiti di competenza per riviste scientifiche specializzate del settore archeologico e archeometrico.

Papers by Simone Dilaria

Quaderni Norensi 10, 2024

Questo studio presenta i risultati delle analisi archeometriche preliminari condotte su cinque ca... more Questo studio presenta i risultati delle analisi archeometriche preliminari condotte su cinque campioni di malta delle Terme a Mare di Nora (Sardegna), la cui cronologia di costruzione si inquadra all’inizio del III secolo d.C. L’analisi, effettuata mediante microscopia ottica polarizzata su sezioni sottili di 30 μm, ha rivelato un gruppo principale di
malte a base di calce, mescolate con sabbie classate locali e pozzolane vulcaniche (pomici e tufi), probabilmente provenienti dal Golfo di Napoli. Un campione di cocciopesto ha mostrato caratteristiche distintive, per la presenza di elementi di ossidiane vetrose e compatte, probabilmente di provenienza locale sarda (Monte Arci). Questi risultati offrono approfondimenti sulla tecnologia produttiva dei composti leganti e sulla provenienza delle materie prime impiegate, indicando verosimilmente il coinvolgimento di gruppi artigiani diversificati nel cantiere di costruzione
dell’edificio.

This study presents the results of preliminary archaeometric analyses on five mortar samples from the “Terme a Mare” Baths of Nora (Sardinia), dating to the early 3rd century AD. Using polarized light microscopy on 30 μm thin sections, the analysis revealed a primary group of lime-based mortars mixed with local graded sands and volcanic pozzolans (pumices and tuffs), likely sourced from the Gulf of Naples.
One sample of cocciopesto mortar displayed distinctive characteristics, including vitreous and compact obsidian elements, likely from Monte Arci in Sardinia. These findings provide insights into the production technology of binding materials and the origins of the raw materials used, suggesting the involvement of diverse artisan groups in the construction.

Quaderni Norensi, 2024

The paper presents the results of the excavation campaigns carried out in 2022 and 2023 at the Ph... more The paper presents the results of the excavation campaigns carried out in 2022 and 2023 at the Phoenician and Punic necropolis of Nora. In continuity with previous campaigns, the excavation of Phoenician secondary incineration tombs and a later Punic inhumation burial continued in Trench 1. In Trench 4, extensive traces referable to the later exploitation of the area during the Republican and Imperial Roman periods emerged with even greater clarity, with the conversion of Punic hypogea into cisterns and the construction of buildings, perhaps related to production activities.
Finally, in the new Trench 5, opened in 2023 to connect the two mentioned excavation areas, the investigations allowed to identify a preserved fragment of necropolis, where some archaic tombs and a large Punic hypogeum, that remained continuously in use until the Hellenistic age, have been investigated.

Quaderni Norensi, 2024

Nel corso delle campagne di scavo 2022 e 2023 nella necropoli fenicio-punica occidentale di Nora ... more Nel corso delle campagne di scavo 2022 e 2023 nella necropoli fenicio-punica occidentale di Nora (Sardegna), sono stati prelevati dei campioni di rivestimento idraulico da alcune strutture per la conservazione dell’acqua di età romana presenti nell’area del Saggio 4. I campioni sono stati analizzati per via archeometrica tramite analisi in microscopia ottica. Ciò ha permesso di definirne le caratteristiche composizionali, fornendo preziose informazioni non solo per risalire alle fasi di rivestimento delle strutture ma per indicarne possibili attribuzioni in termini di cronologie assolute sulla base di caratteristici marker tecnico-produttivi.

During the 2022 and 2023 archaeological excavations in Sector 4 of the western Phoenician-Punic necropolis of Nora (Sardinia), hydraulic coating samples were collected from several Roman-era water tanks. These samples were analyzed using archaeometric methods through optical microscopy. This analysis allowed for the detailed identification of their compositional characteristics, providing valuable information not only to outline the coating phases of the structures but also to determine their possible chronological attributions based on distinctive technical-productive markers.

PLOSONE, 2024

Four mortar samples were collected from a submerged Roman well-cistern (1 st c. CE) in the Northe... more Four mortar samples were collected from a submerged Roman well-cistern (1 st c. CE) in the Northern part of the Lagoon of Venice, recently investigated during underwater surveys promoted by the team of maritime archaeology of the University Ca' Foscari of Venice. Samples were preliminary described following a standardized protocol of analytical techniques, including Polarized Light Optical Microscopy (PLM), Quantitative Phase Analysis-X-Ray Powder Diffraction (QPA-XRPD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Archaeometric analyses allowed the samples to be identified as lime-based mortars enriched with ceramic fragments and sand-sized particles compatible with local alluvial deposits. Moreover, pyroclastic aggregates, inconsistent with the local geology, were added to the mortars as natural pozzolans, strongly reacted with the lime binder. Their provenance was determined through geochemical analysis by using SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) and LA-ICP-MS (Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry). The analysis targeted the inner regions of certain coarse clasts (having a grain-size ranging from approximately 450 μm to 2-3 mm), where fresh volcanic glass, unaltered by reactions, was still preserved, allowing the original geochemistry of the clasts to be delineated. The resulting fingerprints were then compared with the geochemical distribution of the pyroclastic products of the major Italian Plio-Quaternary magmatic districts. The lithological source of the analysed tephra appears to be petrochemically congruent with the Phlegraean Fields volcanic district. However, most of the volcanic clasts, especially the finer ones (< 450 μm) and shards, showed significant alteration as a result of pozzolanic reactions with the binder. The strongly alkaline anoxic underwater environment of the Venetian lagoon likely fostered the reaction kinetics, as the matrices showed a relevant development of M-AS -H hydrates replacing the pristine Ca-bearing phases of the binder. On the other hand, the carbonation of the lime was almost null. The uniform mixture of local sands, ceramic fragments, and imported volcanic rocks, combined with brackish water, appears to have fostered pozzolanic

Archaeological and Anthropological Science, 2024

The research focuses on analyzing the production techniques and materials of a Roman paint-plaste... more The research focuses on analyzing the production techniques and materials of a Roman paint-plastered ceiling from a Late Antique Roman villa near Negrar (Verona, Italy), recently uncovered. Stylistic features of the decoration, found in reworked collapse debris during the villa's excavation, date the ceiling to the original construction phase in the 4 th century CE. The paper presents the protocol we adopted for recovering and analyzing the painted decoration of the villa, which was in-laboratory recomposed in its original layout after a meticulous and systematic retrieval of fragmented materials. Microsamples of mortar and pigment were then taken to fully reconstruct the execution technique and raw materials used in the paint-plastered ceiling, detailing the application of the tectorium and pigment preparation. Mortar samples were analyzed to define preparatory layer properties, using various analytical techniques including Transmitted-Light Polarized Optical Microscopy (TL-OM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (SEM-EDS). Optical reflected-light microscopy detected guide incisions on the preparatory mortar, while Reflected-Light Optical Microscopy (RL-OM) revealed the microstratigraphy of pictorial micro-layers. Micro-samplings of painted decorations were conducted to define pigment palettes, determining their mineralogical composition through X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) analysis coupled with micro-Raman analyses for the determination of carbon-based compounds. The research aims to establish a comprehensive protocol for future endeavors, integrating archaeological reassembly with precise micro-analyses of pigments and mortars, deciphering the intricate layout of ancient, fragmented decorations. This study is the first of its kind in Northern Italy, overcoming challenges posed by fragmented and reworked artifacts in previous research, enabling detailed analytical studies like those conducted here. Moreover, this study of the paint-plastered ceiling of the Late Roman villa of Negrar aims to provide a new impulse for the knowledge of Late Antique painting techniques and materials, which were only marginally considered within Roman painting tradition so far.

Musiva et Sectilia, 2024

Support mortars, preparatory drawing and stone tiles of the wall mosaic of the first church of s... more Support mortars, preparatory drawing and stone tiles of the wall
mosaic of the first church of san Nicolò del lido in Venice (11th century AD).
Some considerations · This paper reports the results of the archaeometric
analyses on the wall mosaic of the First Church of San Nicolò del Lido
in Venice (11th cent. AD), recovered in a fragmentary state in the col-
lapse debris of the medieval building during 1980s excavation activities.
The preparatory mortars, the pigments constituting the under-drawing
underlying the mosaic, and the stone tesserae of the artifact were in-
vestigated at the laboratories of the University of Padua adopting a
multi-analytical approach, that integrates Polarized Light Microscopy
on thin sections (plm), X-Ray Powder Diffraction Analysis (xrpd) and
Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive System (sem-
eds). From the analysis, a detailed characterization of the composition
and provenance of the employed raw materials was obtained, allowing
a final evaluation of the overall mosaic’s executive technology.

Orizzonti, 2024

The ‘Grand Baths’ of Aquileia: New data from geognostic surveys on construction methods and cons... more The ‘Grand Baths’ of Aquileia: New data from geognostic
surveys on construction methods and construction history · Thanks
to a research collaboration between the Department of Hu-
manistic Studies of the University of Udine and the Department
of Cultural Heritage of the University of Padova, an analytical
study of the stratigraphy of a series of core drills, realized in the
2021 to investigate the underground development of the largest
thermal complex of Aquileia (so-called Great Baths) was con-
ducted. Samples of binder mixtures and wooden material were
collected from the cores and analysed in laboratory, in order to
acquire new important information about the layout of the
foundation system of the thermal complex. Furthermore,
radiometric analyses conducted on a wooden element probably
belonging to the building’s foundational wooden pole provided
new data which suggest that the construction may have already
started during the First Tetrarchy.

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences , 2024

This paper reports on the results of the analyses of 56 stone samples from Roman and pre-Roman ar... more This paper reports on the results of the analyses of 56 stone samples from Roman and pre-Roman artifacts from the ancient town of Atria, currently preserved at the National Archaeological Museum of Adria. The city is located in the eastern Veneto lowlands, close to the Po River delta, and far from the main rock outcrops of the region. The objective of this research is to determine the provenance of the stones used in ancient Atria and their trade networks. The analytical techniques adopted include polarized-light optical microscopy (PLM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and quantitative phase analysis by X-ray powder diffraction (QPA-XRPD). The results reveal a widespread use of imported stones from the central-western territories of Veneto, primarily comprising trachyte from the Euganean Hills and the soft limestone Vicenza Stone from the Berici Hills/eastern Lessini Mounts. Rosso Ammonitico, Maiolica (Biancone) and Scaglia Rossa limestones are also documented. From neighbouring regions, the imported stone types include Aurisina limestone from the Trieste Karst and Istrian Stone. Sandstone was uniquely recognized in G. Popillius's milestone. Moreover, advanced geochemical and mineralogical analyses performed on the Euganean trachytes allow tracking accurately the quarry sites, revealing an extensive exploitation of the main historical quarries of M. Oliveto, Monselice and M. Merlo, although some provenances from outcrops less systematically exploited were also detected. Notably, the use of rhyolite for manufacturing a pre-Roman gravestone provides new insights regarding the exploitation of Euganean stone resources before the Roman era.

Radiation Physics and Chemistry

Mortars stand among the very few materials that theoretically cannot be reused due to irreversibl... more Mortars stand among the very few materials that theoretically cannot be reused due to irreversible hardening processes. Among the various dating techniques, radiocarbon and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) struggle for being selected as the most robust and reliable dating technique for the specific material. The principle of mortar OSL dating depends on the bleaching of the quartz grains of the sandy aggregate while mixing and laying the mortar to daylight. Thus, the OSL ages strongly depend on the effective bleaching of the quartz. Here, we deal with OSL ages from the old Roman Theatre of Padua. Preliminary OSL results based on Single Aliquot Regeneration (SAR) protocol using three regenerated doses to multigrain (MG) quartz aliquots, indicated distributions of ED (Equivalent Dose) leading to significant mismatch of these results compared to the expected ages. The present work attempts to discuss the influence of various data analysis approaches such as (a) exclusion criteria like recycling ratio and recuperation values, (b) selection of the suitable region of interest in the signal's integral along with the correct background (late or early) subtraction technique and (c) appropriate statistical analysis by selecting the suitable age model (descriptive statistics, Central Age Model, Minimum Age Model) on the final distribution as well as both value and precision of the ED, enabling thus to obtain ages that are not only more accurate, but also closer to what was expected. Alternative statistical indicators of either the symmetry of the ED distributions (like skewness, kurtosis, etc) or the OSL signal itself (residual distribution analysis, kinetic parameters and percentage contribution of each OSL component to the overall signal) will be assessed in an effort to investigate possible correlations.

HORTUS ARTIUM MEDIEVALIUM, 2023

New research was recently conducted on the medieval remains of the religious complex of Santa Giu... more New research was recently conducted on the medieval remains of the religious complex of Santa Giustina in Padua (Italy) within the framework
of the project ArchiDate. The latter, funded by the University of Padua, gathered scientists from the fields of art history, archaeology, material science and archaeometric dating of building materials. After several decades of debates, the chronological framework for two key ancient
structures of the complex, San Prosdocimo’s chapel and the so-called ‘Opilio’s mausoleum’, was established thanks to the integration of mortar
luminescence dating in the stratigraphical study of the architectural remains

Scientific Reports, 2023

The paper reports the results of the analyses on mortar-based materials from the Roman theatre of... more The paper reports the results of the analyses on mortar-based materials from the Roman theatre of Aquileia (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Northern Italy), recently dated between the mid-1st Century BCE and the mid-1st Century CE. Samples were characterized by Polarized Light Microscopy on thin sections (PLM), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Quantitative Phase Analysis by X-Ray Powder Diffraction (QPA-XRPD). Pyroclastic aggregates (mainly pumices and scattered tuffs), incompatible with the regional geology, were found in two samples from the preparation layers of the ground floor of the building. Their provenance was determined by means of QPA-XRPD, SEM-EDS, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Laser-Ablation Inductively-Coupled-Plasma Mass-Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Mineralogical and geochemical analyses demonstrated their provenance from the Bay of Naples, thus recognizing them as pulvis puteolana, a type of pozzolanic aggregate outcropping around the modern town of Pozzuoli and prescribed by Vitruvius (De Architectura, 2.6.1) in mortar-based materials to strengthen masonries and produce hydraulic concrete for harbor piers. This evidence represents the oldest analytically-established case of pulvis puteolana exploitation in Northern Italy up to now, and an early use of the material out of Campania adapted for civil constructions in a non-strictly maritime-related environment. Indeed, the theatre was built in the low-lying Aquileia's deltaic plain, prone to water infiltrations that are typical in lagoonlike environments. The data highlight the craftsmen's resilience in adapting and reinterpreting the traditional use of the Neapolitan volcanic materials to deal with the geomorphological challenges of Aquileia's lowland.

Quaderni Norensi, 2022

The paper presents the results of the excavation campaign carried out in 2021 at the Phoenician a... more The paper presents the results of the excavation campaign carried out in 2021 at the Phoenician and Punic necropolis of Nora, located along the north-western side of the former Navy base area. In continuity with the previous campaigns, in Trench 1 the excavation of new Phoenician secondary cremation burials and of a later sub-adult burial tomb allows to define the peculiarities and the general evolution of the funerary ritual between the 7th and 6th centuries BC. These tombs reveal new constructive solutions, which is not possible to refer to a rigid typological classification. In addition, the numerous grave goods recovered allow to enlarge significantly the formal and typological repertoire of objects used in the necropolis of Nora in the period under examination. Inside Trench 4 the investigations have revealed the later stages of transformation and reuse of the funerary area, with the reconversion of ancient Punic hypogea into cisterns and the construction of new buildings, probably related to productive activities.

ARHEOLOGIJA I PRIRODNE NAUKE, 2022

Mortars, composite materials used to bind together masonry elements and to seal and waterproof ar... more Mortars, composite materials used to bind together masonry elements and to seal and waterproof architectural surfaces, have been employed by human populations for sheltering purposes since the beginning of technological evolution of mankind, constituting the first attested products of pyrotechnology since the Neolithic period. Over times, selection of raw materials and optimization of recipes and mixing procedures allowed to diversify and optimize their properties, in order to meet the most sophisticated demands of human cultures. In this contribution, a brief excursus of the evolution of mortar technology from the Palaeolithic to the late Roman times is reported, with a particular focus on the selection of functional compounds to push some specific properties of these binding composites within differentiated human societies.

Heritage, Jan 10, 2023

In this paper, we discuss the presence of volcanic pozzolans in the structural mortars of the Rom... more In this paper, we discuss the presence of volcanic pozzolans in the structural mortars of the Roman Temple of Nora in Sardinia (3rd c. AD), represented by pyroclastic rocks (pumices and tuffs) employed as coarse and fine aggregates. The provenance of these materials from the Phlegraean Fields was highlighted through a multi-analytical approach, involving Polarized Light Microscopy on thin sections (PLM), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Quantitative Phase Analysis by X-ray Powder Diffraction (QPA-XRPD), and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) investigations. These volcanic pozzolans, outcropping in the Bay of Naples between Pozzuoli and the Vesuvius, are traditionally associated with the pulvis puteolana, the famous pozzolanic ash prescribed by Vitruvius and Pliny in order to confer strength and waterproofing capabilities to ancient concretes. This is the first evidence of the trade of this volcanic material from the Neapolitan area to Sardinia, starting at least by the Middle Imperial Age. The use of the pulvis puteolana in the Roman Temple of Nora seems primarily targeted to strengthen aboveground masonries, while waterproofing capabilities were not strictly pursued. This opens new questions about the construction reasons for which the demand and commercialization for this product was intended.

Heritage, 6(1):483-491, 2023

This work presents a methodology for obtaining a quantitative expression of the superficial deter... more This work presents a methodology for obtaining a quantitative expression of the superficial deterioration of bricks affected by climatic conditions. The method combines in situ measurements with laboratory data. Input data on material recession were obtained from photogrammetric observations, the material properties were derived from laboratory tests or the relevant literature, and climate data were provided from regional environmental monitoring service. The climatic parameters considered in this study are: relative humidity, number of freeze-thaw cycles (i.e., mean number of days per year with temperatures below zero), and peak sun hours per day. The methodology proposed estimates the deterioration rate of brick façades under variable climate conditions over time. As a conclusion of this research, a new tool for the structural evaluation of brick walls is presented.

Quaderni Norensi, 2022

In questo contributo vengono discussi i risultati preliminari delle analisi archeometriche condot... more In questo contributo vengono discussi i risultati preliminari delle analisi archeometriche condotte su 8 campioni di malta prelevati dal tempio di Esculapio a Nora nel corso della campagna archeologica 2015 ed analizzati tramite indagini in microscopia ottica polarizzata (OM) accoppiate ad indagini chimiche SEM-EDS. I risultati ottenuti hanno permesso di caratterizzare le materie prime impiegate nelle malte, in gran parte locali. In un solo campione, la presenza di piroclastiti vulcaniche, sicuramente non locali ed importate da altrove, hanno conferito al composto peculiari proprietà pozzolaniche.

In this paper we discuss the preliminary results of the archaeometric analyses on 8 mortar samples collected from the temple of Eshmun in Nora during the 2015 archaeological campaign and analyzed by polarized optical microscopy (OM) coupled with SEM-EDS chemical investigations. The resulting data allowed to describe the raw materials used in the mortars, which were for the most part locally sourced. In one sample, imported volcanic pyroclastic rocks provided the compound of peculiar pozzolanic properties.

Rivista di Archeologia (RdA), 45, 2022

In the course of recent excavation activities in Aquileia at the site of the insula of Wounded Be... more In the course of recent excavation activities in Aquileia at the site of the insula of Wounded Beasts, the reuse of abundant broken murex shells as raw building material was documented in three different structures. Shell-bearing contexts have been preliminarily dated between the second half of the 4th century AD and the 5th century AD. As frequently reported in literature, this evidence is relatable to the common praxis of recycling shell by-products after purple-dye processing. These finds could be considered the first properly documented indication of this industry in Aquileia, although vats and tools related to dyeing have not been discovered, as far as we know. Unfortunately, our data do not provide information about the exact location, chronology and organization of the dye-production, which remains to be ascertained.

Geoarchaeology, 2022

This study provides the first detailed insight into the composition and properties of structural ... more This study provides the first detailed insight into the composition and properties of structural mortars used in a 4th-century AD bath complex in Aquileia, the emblematic center of Roman culture in Northern Italy. Eighteen mortars, taken from different structures of the site, and three stone samples from the vaulting opus caementicium have been analyzed adopting a multianalytical approach integrating optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The properties of the compounds are outstanding, as revealed by the formation of hydraulic phases (i.e., Al-tobermorite and AFm) in most of the samples: the waterproofing capabilities of cocciopesto mortars are remarkable, as revealed by the formation of anthropogenic Al-tobermorite (5.5 wt%) in pool coating samples; the lightweight of the vaults was guaranteed by the use of porous caementa and pozzolanic volcanic aggregates imported from the Gulf of Naples, as demonstrated by petro-mineralogical features and chemical analysis of major and trace elements. This is the first proven case of trade in these building materials to the north of the Italian peninsula. These outcomes shed new light on the robust technical expertise of local artisans in Aquileia and indicate that the Cisalpina province was by no means a peripheral reality in the Roman Empire, as far as mortar-based materials are concerned.

Quaderni Norensi 10, 2024

Quaderni Norensi, 2024

PLOSONE, 2024

Archaeological and Anthropological Science, 2024

Musiva et Sectilia, 2024

Orizzonti, 2024

Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences , 2024

Radiation Physics and Chemistry

HORTUS ARTIUM MEDIEVALIUM, 2023

Scientific Reports, 2023

Quaderni Norensi, 2022

ARHEOLOGIJA I PRIRODNE NAUKE, 2022

Heritage, Jan 10, 2023

Heritage, 6(1):483-491, 2023

Quaderni Norensi, 2022

Rivista di Archeologia (RdA), 45, 2022

Geoarchaeology, 2022

ATLANTE TEMATICO DI TOPOGRAFIA ANTICA, 2021

Minima Epigraphica et Papyrologica. Anno XXIII. 2020 fasc. 25. AA.VV. A cura di Costabile Felice... more Minima Epigraphica et Papyrologica. Anno XXIII. 2020 fasc. 25.
AA.VV.
A cura di Costabile Felice
Anno di Edizione: 2021
Edizione: L'ERMA di BRETSCHNEIDER
Collane:
Minima Epigraphica et Papyrologica, 25
ISBN: 9788891319272
Rilegatura: Brossura
Pagine: 386, 40 ill. B/N
Formato: 23 x 21 cm

Archaeometry, 2022

A total of 83 wall joint mortar samples collected from the Sarno Baths complex in Pompeii (Naples... more A total of 83 wall joint mortar samples collected from the Sarno Baths complex in Pompeii (Naples, Italy) were analysed by optical microscopy (OM) and X-ray powder diffraction-quantitative phase analysis (XRPD- QPA) in order to scan the ancient construction phases and modern restorations to which the building was subject. The major issue to overcome in the research depended on the fact that the most part of the analysed mortars was taken from undated structures, while only 35 were collected from dated ones. In order to observe correlations in sample distribution which could reflect ancient building phases and modern restorations, we then processed XRPD-QPA data of the mortars through principal component analysis (PCA). A rational subdivision of the full dataset into a smaller one before performing PCA was a useful step for a proper enucleation of coherent groups. The presence in most of the resulting groups of dated samples also allowed us to place in a precise timeframe the undated ones. This study demonstrates that our approach, integrating the traditional archaeological analysis with archaeometrical methods and statistics, could be adopted as a tool with which to frame the constructive episodes in other ancient buildings in Pompeii as well as at other archaeological sites.

S. Straumann/P.-A. Schwarz, Insulae in Context, 2023

With regard to northern Italy, the topic of insulae, both in the sense of urban quarters and mult... more With regard to northern Italy, the topic of insulae, both in the sense of urban quarters and multi-storey complexes, is undoubtedly challenging. In fact, just small parts of the Roman cities of this region have been unearthed so far, and the state of preservation of Roman structures is generally poor. Despite these issues, this paper aims to offer an overview on this topic by analysing data from past and recent excavations
and research.
The first part will present an updated framework of Roman private housing in northern Italy, and the evidence that points to the existence or, indeed, the absence of insulae (in the sense of multi-storey complexes). The second part will examine insulae in the sense of urban quarters, with a comparison of data from different cities in northern Italy. A specific focus will be on the city of Aquileia, where recent excavations provided new and interesting data concerning the layout, functionality and evolution of the urban quarters over time.

Terra, legno e materiali deperibili nell’architettura antica, 2023

The archaeological excavation, directed by the Department of Cultural Heritage of the University ... more The archaeological excavation, directed by the Department of Cultural Heritage of the University of Padova, of a Middle Imperial building located east of the forum of Nora (Pula, Sardinia), provided evidence of collapsed mudbrick walls.
The target of the present research is the analysis of the characteristics of mudbricks, throughout a multi-analytical approach integrating archaeometric investigations (transmitted light optical microscopy and X-Ray Powder Diffraction) and mechanical compression tests performed at the laboratories of the Department of Geosciences and of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering of the University of Padova. Unfortunately, post-depositional events caused the substantial mechanical disaggregation of mudbrick walls to such an extent that they were hardly distinguishable within the clayish matrix constituting the archaeological deposit. This represented the main issue of the research as the analyses were limited to only two sufficiently cohesive mudbricks.
The experimental outcomes highlighted that both the analysed elements were produced by mixing local clays with an abundant sand fraction. Then they were sundried or, possibly, heated in ovens at low temperatures. Mechanical tests indicated an unconfined compressive strength of about 1.8 MPa, which can be considered compatible with the construction of a two-storey building. The investigations provided useful data for the possible reconstruction of raw materials and production process of mudbricks in Roman Sardinia, and of their use in low-rise buildings.

IMEKO TC-4 International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, Rome, Italy, October 19-21, 2023, 2023

We analysed 22 stone samples from Roman and Pre-Roman funerary artefacts found in the ancient sit... more We analysed 22 stone samples from Roman and Pre-Roman funerary artefacts found in the ancient site of Atria, located in the deltaic plain of the Po River in Veneto region (Italy). The investigation of the artefacts, currently preserved at the National Archaeological Museum of Adria, was conducted by Polarized Light Optical Microscopy (PLM) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) in order to determine their provenance and, consequently, the trade networks exploited for their supply. The results revealed the widespread presence of rock types sourced from the
central-western part of Veneto. Among these, trachytes from the Euganean Hills were predominantly utilised, while the soft limestone known as “Pietra Tenera di Vicenza” from the Berici Hills and Scaglia Rossa limestone were used to a lesser extent. Furthermore, the use of rhyolites for the making of a Pre-Roman stele provides new insights into the stone resources quarried from the Euganean district prior the Roman era.

6th Historic Mortar Conference, 2022

Topic 4: Historic renders and plasters. Gypsum-based plasters and mortars. Adobe and mud mortars.... more Topic 4: Historic renders and plasters. Gypsum-based plasters and mortars. Adobe and mud mortars. Rammed earth constructions. Natural and Roman cement mortars. Assessment. Repair mortar for a coloured layer of sgraffito render-a technological copy

Antichità Altoadriatiche, XCIII - 50a settimana bilanci e prospettive. Aquileia e le sue musealizzazioni, 2022

the paper is focused on the history of studies concerning the architecture of Roman aquileia, wit... more the paper is focused on the history of studies concerning the architecture of Roman aquileia, with the aim of evaluating the evolution of research approaches from the past to the present days. the analysis of the proceedings of the conference held in aquileia in the last fifty years reveals little attention to the themes concerning architecture and their contexts, while major consideration is devoted to artistic and historical- epigraphic materials and documents. only in recent years, this trend is changing and from the beginning of the 21st century the architecture of Aquileia has been studied with innovative methodologies, involving the application of technical-analytical approaches to the study of the architectural heritage of the ancient city.

la peinture murale antique: Méthodes et apports d'une approche technique (lovain-la-Neuve 21/04/2017), 2021

This paper presents the preliminary results of the examinations on a series of wall painting frag... more This paper presents the preliminary results of the examinations on a series of wall painting fragments from housing contexts in Roman Aquileia. Almost none of these fragments has been found in situ but, according to stylistic features and stratigraphic position, we have been able to attribute more than 40 samples to a precise period, covering a chronological range of over six centuries (2nd c. BC – 5th c. AD). Mortars and pigments have been characterized through an analytical approach (OM; XRPD; SEM-EDS; Raman), in order to identify and interpret the evolution of materials and manufacturing processes adopted in the preparation of the wall paintings. In conclusion, it has been possible to characterize the evolution of expertise and practices adopted by artisans over six centuries of wall-painting production.

Local Styles or Common Pattern Books in Roman Wall Painting and Mosaics. Proceedings of the 19th International Congress of Classical Archaeology, Cologne/Bonn 2018, 2021

The study of Roman mosaics is traditionally dominated by an aesthetic and stylistic approach. Dur... more The study of Roman mosaics is traditionally dominated by an aesthetic and stylistic approach. During the last couple of decades, a new interest for the material aspects has started to emerge, opening different perspectives of study and interpretation. 1 This material-based approach is particularly effective for investigating the economic aspects of mosaics and for assessing their social value. High-end mosaics are likely to combine a complex decorative project, with the use of expensive materials, like marble or glass tesserae. However, determining the high quality is difficult and involves the evaluation of a combination of factors. An accurate mosaic project starts from designing and building appropriate foundations and beddings and continues with the creation of the surface. The elements that we need to assess accurately include the identification of the materials used in the construction of the mosaic and their distribution, the evaluation of the accuracy in cutting and laying the tesserae, and the care taken in planning the decoration and respecting the drawing. This comprehensive analysis of mosaics is particularly important for the study of decorations in domestic contexts. Here, spaces paved by mosaics and used for the reception of the guests play a key role in the decorative project of the building. These mosaics were a proper means of communication, expressing the social status of the owner. Looking at the details of tessellata floors, we discover that mosaics covering large surfaces with figural decorations, surely made to impress, are not always accompanied by a high technical quality.
In this paper we present the results of the application of this methodological approach, by investigating two mosaics excavated at the site of Aquileia, at the insula della Casa delle Bestie Ferite (insula of the House of the Wounded Beast)

Nora antiqua II. Nora dalla costituzione della Provincia all’età augustea. Atti del Convegno di Studi (Pula, 5-6 ottobre 2018), 2020

La presente opera è l'esito di una ricerca sostenuta e autorizzata dal Ministero dei Beni e delle... more La presente opera è l'esito di una ricerca sostenuta e autorizzata dal Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività culturali e del Turismo Si ringrazia la Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio per la città metropolitana di Cagliari e le province di Oristano e Sud Sardegna per la disponibilità Impaginazione: Ermes Turato Stampa: Grafiche Turato sas -Rubano (PD)

Celestino Pérez, S.; Rodríguez González, E. (Eds.) 2020: Un viaje entre el Oriente y el Occidente del Mediterráneo. Actas del IX Congreso Internacional de Estudios Fenicios y Púnicos, Mytra 5, Mérida, 2020

5 th Historic Mortars Conference – 19-21 June 2019 – Pamplona, Spain, 2019

In the present paper we report the preliminary results of an ongoing research focused on the inve... more In the present paper we report the preliminary results of an ongoing research focused on the investigation of Roman mortars and concretes employed in Aquileia from Roman to Early Medieval Age (II century BC – VI century AD). More than 250 samples have been collected from buildings spread all over of the town, with different chronologies of construction and different functions. Material characterization was achieved throughout a multi-analytical approach comprising optical microscopy (OM), X-Ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive microanalysis (SEM-EDS). Analytical data have been strictly crosschecked in relation with the chronology and purpose of the structure from which mortars have been collected from. The preliminary results we obtained are providing intriguing outcomes: we observed a high specialization on “recipes” in relation to the function of mortars and concretes, but also chronology of production appears to have an important role in the composition of mortar-based compounds. Such an extensive sampling is giving valuable insights to decipher the relations among crafts and artisans in ancient construction and decorative activities.

Atti del I Colloquio dell’Associazione Italiana Ricerche e Pittura Antica, Atti del Convegno (Aquileia 16-17 giugno 2017), a cura di M. Salvadori, F. Fagioli, C. Sbrolli, Roma, pp. 31-46., 2019

This paper presents the preliminary results of a research promoted by the Department of Cultural ... more This paper presents the preliminary results of a research promoted by the Department of Cultural Heritage and the Department of Geosciences of the University of Padua, aimed at the characterization of support mortars and paintings of a series of plaster fragments coming from medium and late imperial contexts in Aquileia. The archeometrical approach has proved to be crucial to clearly define the sorting of raw materials and the savoir faire of the artisans employed in the production of wall-paintings for these historical periods.

Roman urban landscape. Towns and minor settlements from Aquileia to the Danube, Opera Instituti Archaeologici Sloveniae 47, 2024

Our knowledge regarding the urban planning of Aquileia and its development has significantly incr... more Our knowledge regarding the urban planning of Aquileia and its development has significantly increased since the publication of the last comprehensive overview of this subject in the volume Aquileia moenibus et portu celeberrima in 2009. Indeed, over the previous decade, several new research projects have shone new light on the urban planning, function, and development of Aquileia, adding much new data and evidence to our overall knowledge of the ancient colony and Adriatic emporium. This paper presents the most significant results of recent investigations, providing a first updated overview of the city’s urban development, focusing and commenting on the following themes: city walls and town planning, Forum and river port, entertainment and recreational buildings (theatre, amphitheatre and Imperial baths), commercial areas and complexes, private spaces and townhouses.

HMC 2022: Conservation and Restoration of Historic Mortars and Masonry Structures , 2023

The hydraulic features of lime-based mortars are primarily determined by the occurrence in the ra... more The hydraulic features of lime-based mortars are primarily determined by the occurrence in the raw materials of variable amounts of reactive silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3) that, in presence of water, interact with lime (CaO) to form different hydrated products (C-A-H; C-A-S-H; C-S-H). Under certain conditions, other hydrated products, based on the interaction of magnesium with silica (and sometimes also with alumina) can occur (M-S-H/M-A-S-H). The target of this research is the analysis and comparison of the characteristics and structure of calcium-based silico/aluminate hydrates and magnesium-based silico/aluminate hydrates in ancient mortars and concretes. We adopted a multianalytical approach, involving Optical Microscopy (OM), X-Ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive microanalysis (SEM-EDS) and magic-angle spinning solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-SS NMR), for characterizing samples with different composition and structural function from the sites of Aquileia (Northern Italy), Nora (Sardinia) and Pompeii (Naples). The results we obtained demonstrate the occurrence of different hydraulic phases in the mortar-based materials, whose development primarily depends on the array of raw materials used in the manufacturing of the compounds. However, the observed hydraulic phases present a prevalent gel-like structure, that was not adequately parametrized and quantified adopting the analytical approach traditionally employed for the characterization of ancient mortars (i.e. OM, XRPD, SEM-EDS). In this perspective, the utilization of MAS-SS NMR resulted crucial in characterizing the chemical environment of hydraulic phases, and C-S-H in particular, by discriminating the degree of polymerization of the silicate tetrahedra even in disordered structures.

L’analisi dei campioni di malte e calcestruzzi dell’anfiteatro di Aquileia è stata finalizzata al... more L’analisi dei campioni di malte e calcestruzzi dell’anfiteatro di Aquileia è stata finalizzata al riconoscimento delle caratteristiche petrografiche e mineralogiche delle miscele leganti impiegate nella costruzione delle diverse porzioni strutturali messe in luce nel corso degli scavi. Lo studio composizionale dei campioni ha permesso inoltre di supportare la scansione delle fasi edilizie, a compendio dei dati di scavo, e di riconoscere possibili gruppi di operai distribuiti nel cantiere edilizio, nei limiti del possibile, data la parzialità delle evidenze strutturali messe in luce.

Dilaria S. 2018, La necropoli fenicia e punica occidentale, in Sardegna archeologica, guide e itinerari, 1 - Nora, a cura di J. Bonetto, G. Bejor, S.F. Bondì, B.M. Giannattasio, M. Giuman, C. Tronchetti, Sassari.

Bando 2011 -prot. STPD11B3LB PROGETTO MACH Approcci metodologici multidisciplinari alla conoscenz... more Bando 2011 -prot. STPD11B3LB PROGETTO MACH Approcci metodologici multidisciplinari alla conoscenza, conservazione e valorizzazione dei beni culturali: applicazione ai siti archeologici I risultati delle indagini a Pompei, Nora e Gortina PROGETTO MACH Approcci metodologici multidisciplinari alla conoscenza, conservazione e valorizzazione dei beni culturali: applicazione ai siti archeologici

Evolution in mosaics and opus sectile bedding techniques at Casa delle Bestie Ferite in Aquileia ... more Evolution in mosaics and opus sectile bedding techniques at Casa delle Bestie Ferite in Aquileia from the I century b.C. to the Iv century A.D.

The program of the winter school "Fragments in context: interpretation and re-composition of Gree... more The program of the winter school "Fragments in context: interpretation and re-composition of Greek and Roman wall paintings" is now ready!

You are very welcome to join us for the seminar sessions on Monday 23rd, Wensday 25th and Friday 27th.

In this research, we have analyzed the coating mortars of 11 cisterns of the Punic-Roman site of ... more In this research, we have analyzed the coating mortars of 11 cisterns of the Punic-Roman site of Nora, in Sardinia. After a preliminary investigation, published in 2006 [1], it has been then noticed that Nora cistern coatings are generally multi-layered. This is due to frequent restoration activities and demonstrates prolonged use of these tanks.
The aim of this study is to recognize the “coating phases”, in order to comprehend if mortar recipes vary in time and if Punic technological traditions were maintained after Sardinia became a Roman province (227 b.C.) and how Roman and Punic cultures influenced each other.
The analytical plan followed two parallel paths: firstly, samples representing the entire stratigraphy of coating layers were investigated by confocal optical microscopy in order to parametrize the morphologies of layer interfaces and distinguish rough preparation layers from smoothed finishing ones. Then, mortars from each layer were characterized via optical microscopy, XRPD, SEM-EDS, DTA-TGA.
By combining the two analytical steps, the specific mortar lining sequences used in the different construction and restoration activities were reconstructed. In this way, it is possible to identify particular sequences and types of mortars that closely follow Punic tradition (ash mortars) from those evidencing Roman practices (ash and terracotta fragments mortars, cocciopesto).
Connecting the results on materials with the cistern construction chronologies, it is possible to confirm that even two centuries after the Roman conquest of Sardinia the cistern waterproofing techniques were still closely connected with Punic traditions and underwent minor changes. This is new evidence confirming, once again, how the actual technical and cultural Romanization of Sardinia can be collocated well after the institutional date of conquest (227 b.C).

The aim of this research is the analysis of mosaic materials and the practice of making in Aquile... more The aim of this research is the analysis of mosaic materials and the practice of making in Aquileia, discussing two emblematic case studies from Casa delle Bestie Ferite, a housing context that is being stratigraphically excavated by the University of Padova since 2007. The life of the domus includes three different phases: middle-late 1st century BC / first half of 1st century AD, (construction); 2nd/3rd century AD (minor refurbishments with no substantial plan modifications); 4th century AD (major reconstruction).
For this study we analyzed in detail the two most representative mosaics of the first and third phase, displaying the technical changes involved in their production and discussing different ways of working in two different periods and social contexts. Our methodological approach integrates the visual examination with the archaeometrical characterization (OM, X-RPD, SEM) of bedding mortars and tesserae, in order to consider the constructive processes of the mosaics in all their parts: from the setting of the foundations to the laying of the surface.
The first case study is a fine example of geometric mosaic, with figural elements, datable to the late 1st century BC-early 1st AD. In its production we observed high quality standards. The foundations are made on a thick dump of well selected clays, followed by four distinct bedding layers (statumen, rudus, nucleus, tesserae setting bed). This structure recalls closely the practice described by the passage of Vitruvius on making mosaics (VII, 1, 1-7). The tesserae include mainly local limestones, with some marbles and few glasses in the figural panels, surely the most prestigious parts.
The other case study is a late antique mosaic, commonly named delle Bestie ferite, from the subject represented. This mosaic is characterized by a totally different bedding: a friable, gray lime mortar, measuring only 3 to 6 cm in thickness. Although marble, glass and gold-leaf tesserae were used extensively, their andamento and layout reveals a certain degree of inaccuracy, probably due to the presence of unskilled artisans and a general disorganization of the work.
The analysis of these two mosaics allowed us to discuss issues related to the social organization of decorator teams in Aquileia and to evaluate the concept of quality throughout five centuries of mosaic production.