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In the framework of the archaeometric research on Apulian Late Antique glass, a collection of 24 glass vessels (third to seventh centuries ad) and production indicators found at Herdonia (Foggia, Italy) was examined, by means of SEM-EDS, EMPA, ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS. A fragment of crucible was further investigated by SEM-EDS and EMPA. The results obtained were discussed together with another glass collection from Herdonia previously investigated. The full set of 48 samples was made of siliceous sands mixed with plant ashes (two samples: a dark green slab and a colourless beaker/lamp) or natron (all the other 46 samples). The latter were assigned to the following compositional groups: HIMT, Levantine 1, RNCBGY1, RNCBGY2, RC/LAC-Sb, intermediate HIMT/RNCBGY1, intermediate RNCBGY1/HIMT, intermediate Levantine/RNCBGY2 and two other groups, the CaO-rich HIMT and the CaO-rich/Na2O poor HIMT, which showed a prevailing Adriatic distribution and a close similarity to the weak HIMT glass group. Most Herdonia samples were similar to the HIMT productions, and thus of likely Egyptian origin, while a smaller number of samples referred to the Levantine productions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A collection of 30 ceramic samples, 16 of coarse wares and 14 of fine painted wares, have been investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and neutron activation analysis. Further samples of clayey sediments, both locally outcropping and found within the settling tank, have been submitted to the same analytical techniques for comparison with the ceramic collection. The results demonstrated that local clayey sediments were used as received for the production of coarse wares. The same raw materials were sieved and/or refined by decantation for the production of fine painted wares, which, in fact, provided results that were perfectly comparable with those for the clayey raw materials found within the settling tank. The Faragola productions were distinguished from the neighbouring Apulian productions according to petrographic features (the presence of leucite-bearing volcanic rocks and Mn-rich wads) and their bulk chemical composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late Antique coarse cooking wares and painted fine wares found at Herdonia (second half of the fourth century to mid-fifth century ad) and Canusium (late sixth century to early seventh century ad) have been chemically and mineralogically characterized. A total of 74 samples (40 of coarse ware and 34 of fine painted ware) was investigated through optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, neutron activation analysis and X-ray fluorescence. A new statistical method, namely the classification tree methodology, was used for the treatment of geochemical data. The characterization of the Herdonia and Canusium assemblages was combined with a review of earlier results obtained for San Giusto and Posta Crusta, in order to get an insight on Late Antique ceramic trades in northern Apulia. It appears possible to reconstruct a production pattern organized at multiple production sites, both rural and urban, that exploited similar raw material deposits, specialized in certain productions, and commercialized products at different geographical scales. Imports from outside northern Apulia may be identified for coarse wares. A likely area of production is difficult to establish; however, the northern Adriatic coast and the area of Greece may be suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-six tesserae (red, orange, yellow, light amber, green, blue and white) from the balneum of the villa at Faragola (Ascoli Satriano, Foggia) have been examined by colorimetry, ICP-MS, ICP-OES and SEM-EDS. Different types of calcareous sands have been used as the source of silica (network former), also providing the stabilizing agent. A natron-type soda source served as the network modifier; however, the use of a sodium-rich plant ash and the recycling process have been hypothesized for the production of two tesserae (FT 1 red and FT 3 orange). The colouring and opacifying agents were Cu oxide (cuprite, orange), metallic copper (red), Pb antimonates (yellow), Ca antimonates (white), a mixture of copper (Cu2 +) and Pb antimonates (green), a mixture of cobalt (Co2 +) or copper (Cu2 +) and Ca antimonates (blue). The light amber tesserae should owe their colour to iron (Fe3 +) alone or associated with sulphide (S2−) and Ca antimonates. It is likely that the Faragola tesserae were locally produced in a secondary glass workshop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SEM–EDS, EMPA, ICP–MS and ICP–OES were applied to the study of three sectilia panels made of red, orange and yellow glass slabs. In order to determine the chemical state of Cu, XAS was also performed. The results indicate that, with the exception of the red samples, all slabs were made by mixing a siliceous sand with natron. The red slabs show significant compositional differences with respect to K2O and MgO contents, probably linked to the use of plant ashes as a source of alkali. The red, orange and yellow slabs are coloured by metallic copper, cuprite and Pb antimonates, respectively. The comparison between the chemical composition of the Faragola samples and several glass reference groups did not provide conclusive evidence of provenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]