- Viale Giovanni Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano (Salerno), Italy
Nell'ambito del progetto di ricerca sui paesaggi tardoantichi e medievali, sono state condotte analisi chimiche su residui organici su 50 frammenti di ceramica provenienti dai siti archeologici della Puglia settentrionale (San Giusto,... more
Nell'ambito del progetto di ricerca sui paesaggi tardoantichi e medievali, sono state condotte analisi chimiche su residui organici su 50 frammenti di ceramica provenienti dai siti archeologici della Puglia settentrionale (San Giusto, Faragola, San Giovanni in Canosa, San Lorenzo in Carmignano , Montecorvino). I risultati hanno contribuito in modo significativo a raccogliere informazioni sull'uso della ceramica, rivelando nuovi dati per la ricostruzione dei modi di cottura e del consumo alimentare (grasso animale derivato dalla cottura della carne, sostanze di origine vegetale, olio, frutta, vino, latte e formaggio). Inoltre, è stato rilevato un uso funzionale diverso dei vasi a causa della presenza di tracce di pece in una pentola di Faragola e di tracce di piombo rosso in campioni di San Lorenzo in Carmignano, molto probabilmente attestanti la pittura o attività in miniatura.
Research Interests: Organic Chemistry, Landscape Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, Organic residues analysis of ceramics and floors, focusing on the understanding of ceramics contents and function, dietary habits, and the use of space., Organic Residue Analysis, and 2 moreOrganic Residues Analysis of Pottery and Roman Archaeology
Nel presente lavoro sono illustrati alcuni risultati della ricerca multidisciplinare, archeologica e archeometrica, condotta in stretta sinergia da archeologici e chimici, al fine di offrire un contributo ai più vasti e complessi temi... more
Nel presente lavoro sono illustrati alcuni risultati della ricerca multidisciplinare, archeologica e archeometrica, condotta in stretta sinergia da archeologici e chimici, al fine di offrire un contributo ai più vasti e complessi temi della ricostruzione del paesaggio rurale del Salento e dell’alimentazione umana fra Tardoantico e Medioevo.
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The study was aimed at investigating, by FT-IR spectroscopy, residues in some whole arcaich and hellenistic vases classified as containers for cosmetics. The results highlighted dissimilar composition of the residues for containers... more
The study was aimed at investigating, by FT-IR spectroscopy, residues in some whole arcaich and hellenistic vases classified as containers for cosmetics. The results highlighted dissimilar composition of the residues for containers different in shape and provenance. Lipids, vegetable resins, and proteinaceous compound were identified. Also some inorganic products (calcite and clay minerals) were found as intended ingredients of the cosmetic preparation.
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A main chain liquid crystalline polyester, indicated as LC.10, was quenched into an unoriented nematic state, and crystallized either thermally or with solvents. The different samples were analyzed by X-rays, differential scanning... more
A main chain liquid crystalline polyester, indicated as LC.10, was quenched into an unoriented nematic state, and crystallized either thermally or with solvents. The different samples were analyzed by X-rays, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and transport properties of dichloromethane vapours at different activities. All the results show that both thermal and solvent treatments induce crystallization, but they transform
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Clay minerals often occur in the finishing layers covering the surface of historic and architectural artefacts. They may come from ochres intentionally applied or from atmospheric dust naturally deposited. In the first case the finishes... more
Clay minerals often occur in the finishing layers covering the surface of historic and architectural artefacts. They may come from ochres intentionally applied or from atmospheric dust naturally deposited. In the first case the finishes could testify to treatments applied for the stone conservation and/or aesthetic purposes, whose study is of great interest in conservation activities.
In this paper we report on the application of microdestructive analytical techniques in order to identify the presence and the origin of clay minerals found on the surfaces of several historic buildings located in the Apulia region (Southern Italy). Optical and SEM observations, along with EDS microanalyses, and FTIR analyses were performed. The microdestructive character of these techniques made it possible to carry out the analyses on the same specimen, thus reducing the sampling. XRD analyses were also performed to confirm the presence of clay minerals. The complementary analytical findings were helpful in most cases in establishing the real origin of the clay minerals; the detection of organic materials arising from man-made treatments allowed to identify clays as pigments. However, in some cases the uncertainty remained between ochre, intentionally employed, and soil–dust deposition.
In this paper we report on the application of microdestructive analytical techniques in order to identify the presence and the origin of clay minerals found on the surfaces of several historic buildings located in the Apulia region (Southern Italy). Optical and SEM observations, along with EDS microanalyses, and FTIR analyses were performed. The microdestructive character of these techniques made it possible to carry out the analyses on the same specimen, thus reducing the sampling. XRD analyses were also performed to confirm the presence of clay minerals. The complementary analytical findings were helpful in most cases in establishing the real origin of the clay minerals; the detection of organic materials arising from man-made treatments allowed to identify clays as pigments. However, in some cases the uncertainty remained between ochre, intentionally employed, and soil–dust deposition.
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In this study, two commercial sacrificial anti-graffiti systems, provided as water emulsion, were applied on a highly porous stone. The behavior of the anti-graffiti treatments was investigated by means of differential scanning... more
In this study, two commercial sacrificial anti-graffiti systems, provided as water emulsion, were applied on a highly porous stone. The behavior of the anti-graffiti treatments was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode (ATR-FTIR), colorimetric tests, and water static contact angle measurements.
The presence of a protective coating enhanced the removal of paint sprayed on the stone. However, penetration of the staining agent below the surface, due to the high porosity of the substrate, caused difficulties in eliminating the paint. In fact, repeated cleaning procedures, involving hot water, mechanical action, and chemical removers, did not allow a complete removal of the paint.
The examined systems behaved against graffiti in different ways. No affinity between the wax-based product and the paint was observed; nevertheless, this behavior did not result in good anti-graffiti performances. On the contrary, the penetration of the paint into the fluorine-based coating yielded a good anti-graffiti effectiveness, since the stain was easily eliminated from the surfaces.
The anti-graffiti coatings survived in limited areas after the cleaning processes, although the studied compounds are suggested as sacrificial products. Such behavior may affect the maintenance activities, when the surface is no longer protected and the coating need to be renewed, since compatibility problems, as well as harmful accumulation, could occur because of further treatments on these surfaces.
The presence of a protective coating enhanced the removal of paint sprayed on the stone. However, penetration of the staining agent below the surface, due to the high porosity of the substrate, caused difficulties in eliminating the paint. In fact, repeated cleaning procedures, involving hot water, mechanical action, and chemical removers, did not allow a complete removal of the paint.
The examined systems behaved against graffiti in different ways. No affinity between the wax-based product and the paint was observed; nevertheless, this behavior did not result in good anti-graffiti performances. On the contrary, the penetration of the paint into the fluorine-based coating yielded a good anti-graffiti effectiveness, since the stain was easily eliminated from the surfaces.
The anti-graffiti coatings survived in limited areas after the cleaning processes, although the studied compounds are suggested as sacrificial products. Such behavior may affect the maintenance activities, when the surface is no longer protected and the coating need to be renewed, since compatibility problems, as well as harmful accumulation, could occur because of further treatments on these surfaces.
Research Interests:
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) is a versatile analytical method, very useful in many fields. Although a crucial step in producing good spectra is the use of the appropriate technique, the acquisition mode is sometimes not... more
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) is a versatile analytical method, very useful in many fields. Although a crucial step in producing good spectra is the use of the appropriate technique, the acquisition mode is sometimes not accurately selected and the results are partial or lacking.
In recent years, FT-IR analysis has been proposed as a screening method for characterization of archaeological potteries and identification of the residues on these artifacts before turning to destructive, more expensive, and time-consuming techniques.
In this study, a set of pottery shards, classified as fragments of amphorae, was subjected to FT-IR analyses. The results obtained from different sampling procedures and different spectra acquisition modes, were examined and compared.
The as-received ceramic fragments were subjected to micro Attenuated Total Reflectance (-ATR) analyses. Investigations in Diffuse Reflectance (DRIFT) mode were performed on samples collected by abrading the surfaces of the shards with abrasive paper. Samples scraped from either the surfaces of the pottery fragments or the interior of the ceramic body, were analyzed in transmission mode as a powder in KBr pellets or after extraction with acetone.
The sampling by abrasion of the surface with an abrasive disk, and consequently the analyses in DRIFT mode, were successful only in identifying the inorganic compounds coming from the pottery and/or the environment, while materials related to the content of the jar were not detected. Also the analyses in transmission mode provided information mainly about inorganic materials, which, even where in a limited amount, masked the signals of organic compounds. Just an extraction with a solvent made it possible a more detailed, but still partial, characterization of these organic substances. On the contrary, the content of the jar was easily detected using the -ATR mode, even in areas where no residue was observed.
In recent years, FT-IR analysis has been proposed as a screening method for characterization of archaeological potteries and identification of the residues on these artifacts before turning to destructive, more expensive, and time-consuming techniques.
In this study, a set of pottery shards, classified as fragments of amphorae, was subjected to FT-IR analyses. The results obtained from different sampling procedures and different spectra acquisition modes, were examined and compared.
The as-received ceramic fragments were subjected to micro Attenuated Total Reflectance (-ATR) analyses. Investigations in Diffuse Reflectance (DRIFT) mode were performed on samples collected by abrading the surfaces of the shards with abrasive paper. Samples scraped from either the surfaces of the pottery fragments or the interior of the ceramic body, were analyzed in transmission mode as a powder in KBr pellets or after extraction with acetone.
The sampling by abrasion of the surface with an abrasive disk, and consequently the analyses in DRIFT mode, were successful only in identifying the inorganic compounds coming from the pottery and/or the environment, while materials related to the content of the jar were not detected. Also the analyses in transmission mode provided information mainly about inorganic materials, which, even where in a limited amount, masked the signals of organic compounds. Just an extraction with a solvent made it possible a more detailed, but still partial, characterization of these organic substances. On the contrary, the content of the jar was easily detected using the -ATR mode, even in areas where no residue was observed.