The study of organic residues found in archaeological materials is very useful to clarify several aspects of daily life of ancient societies, as well as to provide information on their cultural and technological activities. Plant resins, waxes, vegetable and animal fats are often found in archaeological objects as both surface deposits and absorbed residue. The identification of these organic residues are usually carried out by means of destructive analytical techniques, while non-destructive or micro-destructive methodologies would be preferred. Starting from this need, a research project has been undertaken by the "Institute of archeological heritage - Monuments and sites" (IBAM) , to characterize organic residues on pottery by means of non-destructive analytical procedures, based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Samples belonging to archaeological sites of the Mediterranean area have been investigated. The chemical characterization of the organic residues, along with all archaeological data, contributes not only to a better understanding of ancient pottery function and trade, but also help us to define the "social dimension" in which each object was used.
Lo studio di residui organici su reperti archeologici attraverso un approccio interdisciplinare
M LETTIERI;
2010
Abstract
The study of organic residues found in archaeological materials is very useful to clarify several aspects of daily life of ancient societies, as well as to provide information on their cultural and technological activities. Plant resins, waxes, vegetable and animal fats are often found in archaeological objects as both surface deposits and absorbed residue. The identification of these organic residues are usually carried out by means of destructive analytical techniques, while non-destructive or micro-destructive methodologies would be preferred. Starting from this need, a research project has been undertaken by the "Institute of archeological heritage - Monuments and sites" (IBAM) , to characterize organic residues on pottery by means of non-destructive analytical procedures, based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Samples belonging to archaeological sites of the Mediterranean area have been investigated. The chemical characterization of the organic residues, along with all archaeological data, contributes not only to a better understanding of ancient pottery function and trade, but also help us to define the "social dimension" in which each object was used.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
