The aim of this paper is to describe and highlight the role of artificial stone materials used by man through history in order to further the understanding of history itself. The study of artificial materials such as mortar, plaster, ceramics, etc. made and used over the centuries, augments our knowledge of the "Material Culture." It provides information about raw materials, technologies and processes as well as data that are important from the historical standpoint and for the restoration of works of art. Specifically, the paper reviews some examples of ancient mortars used in the Florence area. Petrographic analysis alone was able to provide of data which permitted a detailed reconstruction of production methods. Scientific analyses, together with data obtained from historical sources, have brought to life materials which otherwise would have remained "dead." These methods make it possible to reconstruct specific details of the monuments reviewed and furthermore, they clearly reveal how much of this ancient knowledge and the methods have been completely lost to the detriment of "history" and the present.
Questo lavoro vuole illustrare e sottolineare l'importanza che hanno i materiali lapidei artificiali utilizzati nella storia dell'uomo, per la comprensione e la divulgazione della storia stessa. Lo studio dei materiali artificiali, come le malte, gli intonaci, le ceramiche ecc., confezionati dall'uomo, nel corso dei secoli, utilizzando materiali naturali, restituisce ad oggi, la storia dell'arte del suo confezionamento, le tecniche utilizzate, il materiale reperito per realizzarlo, fornendo una "Cultura del materiale" fondamentale per il "ruolo storico" e il recupero delle Opere d'Arte. In questo caso specifico sono stati presi in considerazione alcuni esempi di malte storiche antiche utilizzate nell'area fiorentina. La sola analisi petrografica è stata in grado di fornirci una serie dettagliata di informazioni, tali da permettere una ricostruzione particolareggiata delle modalità di realizzazione. Le analisi scientifiche insieme ai dati ricavati dalle fonti storiche raccolte, hanno dato voce ai materiali che altrimenti sarebbero rimasti in silenzio. In questo modo è stato possibile ricostruire la storia dei monumenti presi in considerazione, mettendo in risalto inoltre, come ad oggi certe antiche conoscenze e metodologie siano andate completamente perdute a discapito della "storia" e del recupero di questa.
The ancient mortars, an attestation of the Material Culture: the case of Florence
Fabio Fratini;Emma Cantisani
2006
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to describe and highlight the role of artificial stone materials used by man through history in order to further the understanding of history itself. The study of artificial materials such as mortar, plaster, ceramics, etc. made and used over the centuries, augments our knowledge of the "Material Culture." It provides information about raw materials, technologies and processes as well as data that are important from the historical standpoint and for the restoration of works of art. Specifically, the paper reviews some examples of ancient mortars used in the Florence area. Petrographic analysis alone was able to provide of data which permitted a detailed reconstruction of production methods. Scientific analyses, together with data obtained from historical sources, have brought to life materials which otherwise would have remained "dead." These methods make it possible to reconstruct specific details of the monuments reviewed and furthermore, they clearly reveal how much of this ancient knowledge and the methods have been completely lost to the detriment of "history" and the present.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.