R. Scarpelli

UV Fluorescence as tool to evaluate the biotic encrustation pervasiveness on under water amphorae near Crotone (Calabria-Italy)

Underwater ceramic sherds, found in the harbor of Crotone (Calabria, Italy), were analyzed with different analytical methods. The pottery fragments, mostly amphorae, are characterized by a great layer of encrustation on the surface. Archaeological information are very poor, no assumption about provenance and technology, these ceramics are only doubtfully dated to Medieval times. The petrographic (Optical Microscopy) and chemical analyses (X-Ray Fluorescence) on the ceramic of Crotone evidenced a strong compositional heterogeneity. Comparison with literature data supported two different production areas: Western (Southern Italy) and Aegean area. UV Fluorescence on biotic crusts, allows to evaluate the relationship between the biotic colonization and the ceramic paste and to trace the alteration pervasiveness due to the encrusting organisms.

Preliminary petrographic analysis on common ware from Naples

Three different pottery classes found in the monumental complex of Girolomini (Naples) were investigated by petrographic analyses.The studied samples consist of cooking ware and tableware dated between the late fourth century AD and the first half of the fifth century AD. Two groups of ceramics show clear evidences of provenance, while a small group of cooking ware with distinguishable features - typological aspects, surface treatments and fabric – brought more hypotheses about origin.Preliminary petrographic analyses were performed in order to have more information about supplying of the raw materials in the Bay of Naples and in the considered period. The comparison with potential raw materials carried out on the less numerous, but particularly significant ceramic group highlighted new insights about exploitation of the local resources.