Characterization of a taurine roman prothome

This study collects the results of the characterization carried out on three bronze fragments belonging to a bull protome from the Roman period (III - IV century AD) found in Montebelluna (TV). XRF analysis and optical and electron microscope observations were carried out on the three findings. It was verified that for all the composition was that of a bronze with 12% tin with the presence of lead and sulphides and that the microstructure consisted of equiaxed grains in which deformation bands were visible. A superficial decuprification and a patina, with traces of Si, Fe, Ca and P, compatible with the long burial period was also observed. A high iron content was finally detected in a darker area of the main fragments. These results made it possible to confirm the authenticity of the three finds and to attribute them to the same artefact. It was also possible to confirm the hypothesis that an iron stirrup was present and to suppose that the protome was obtained by first pouring the molten material into the stirrup and then working the whole around it.