The aim of this work is to present the results of the archaeometric characterization of amphorae recovered at the Late Antique city of Emporiae, currently Sant Martí d'Empúries (Catalonia, Spain). A total of 53 amphora samples have been analysed using a combination of techniques, including X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy by thin-section analysis. The integrated results shed light on the provenance of these materials, providing evidence for the study of the commercial trends of Emporiae mainly for the fifth and sixth centuries AD. The majority of the imports were related to Tunisian amphorae, for which a diversity of compositions was revealed, evidencing a shift from northern to central Tunisian production centres supplying the city from the sixth century. A number of Eastern Mediterranean, South Hispanic and Italic products were also identified, associated with a large variety of compositional groups. This diversity is also evident within the same production region and for amphorae of the same typology, indicating the arrival of similar products from different workshops, as has been observed especially for the Eastern Mediterranean LRA 1 amphora type.
ANALYTICAL METHODSAll the samples were analysed using a combination of techniques, including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy (OM) through thin-section analysis, except for two samples (EMP351 and EMP352) that were only subjected to OM, since the small sample size was a limiting factor for XRF and XRD preparation.Amphorae from the Late Antique city of Emporiae (Catalonia, Spain) Amphorae from the Late Antique city of Emporiae (Catalonia, Spain)
Summary
A wide‐ranging study based on compositional and isotopic analyses of minerals and manufactured objects from the north‐eastern Iberian Peninsula and their respective archaeological and cultural contexts demonstrates significant lead mineral exploitation in the El Priorat area (Tarragona province) linked to Phoenician trade (seventh–sixth centuries BC). This exploitation continued, despite losing intensity, until the Romanization of the territory. Our project also aims to determine the nature and origin of the lead and silver supply in the northern Iberian territory surrounding the Phocaean enclave of Emporion, especially with regard to the demands of the colonial mint. The behaviour pattern of the circulation of lead, silver and copper in Catalonia in the period studied indicates a plurality of contemporary supply sources, although, at least from the fifth century BC onward, minerals and metals from the south‐eastern Iberian Peninsula take on considerable importance.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.