Application of Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) to the analysis of archeological ceramic amphorae belonging to the Carthaginian fleet that was defeated in the Egadi battle (241 B.C.)

Pitonzo, Rosa; Armetta, Francesco; Saladino, Maria Luisa; Oliveri, Francesca; Tusa, Sebastiano; Caponetti, Eugenio

doi:10.21014/acta_imeko.v6i3.457

Cited by 17 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Sarcophagus #2 results show the presence of Pinaceae resin in the preparatory layer, while a mixture of beeswax and the Pinaceae resin was observed in the brown paint layer. Chemical analyses of Late Roman-Egyptian adhesives showed similar results [51]. The use of these adhesives has been documented in Ancient Egyptian times, both separately and as mixtures.…”

Section: Binderssupporting

confidence: 58%

“…To allow a better identification of the organic markers in the binders, Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (Py-GC/MS) analyses were performed as a complementary analytical technique [48,[50][51][52]. For this study, an innovative methodology to Py-GC/MS data interpretation using expert knowledge integrated into a Microsoft Excel workbook was selected-ESCAPE: Expert System for Characterization using AMDIS Plus Excel.…”

Section: Bindersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Multi-Analytical Study of Egyptian Funerary Artifacts from Three Portuguese Museum Collections

et al. 2021

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A diachronic, multi-analytical approach combining EDXRF, µFTIR, µRaman, SEM-EDS, and Py-GC/MS has been adopted with the aim to study for the first time the painting materials used to decorate Egyptian funerary masks and sarcophagi ranging from the Late Period to the Roman Period and stored in the Archaeological National Museum (MNA) and the Carmo Archaeological Museum (MAC) of Lisbon and the Natural History Museum of the University in Oporto (MNH-FCUP). Results indicate that yellow and red ochres, realgar, cinnabar, Egyptian blue, and Egyptian green were used as pigments while chalk served as the preparatory layer. Over the 1000-year timeline of the studied artifacts, the palette remained remarkably consistent with previous findings as exemplified by cinnabar being used for red pigments in samples only dated after the Ptolemaic period. The presence of Sn in Egyptian blue and Egyptian green pigments used in one sample suggests the use of recycled bronze scraps during pigment production. Black pigments in two Late Period masks were found to be produced by mixing Egyptian blue with red ochre suggesting either a hitherto unknown method for production of purple pigments in the Egyptian palette or, alternatively, an attempt to create a specific hue or shade of dark brown or black. The results of this study contribute to further expand the database of Ancient Egyptian painting materials while at the same time helping to valorize three important Egyptian collections in Portugal.

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Section: Binderssupporting

confidence: 58%

Section: Bindersmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multi-Analytical Study of Egyptian Funerary Artifacts from Three Portuguese Museum Collections

et al. 2021

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“…This technique allows for the accurate quantification of analytes. For instance, the oil content was analyzed in ancient amphorae found in the Late Bronze Age shipwreck of Uluburun [ 26 ] and the site of Amarna (Egypt) [ 44 ], or shipwrecks dating from the First Punic War [ 45 ]. In addition, the profiling of the adsorbed oil gradient within the clay fabric of potsherds has been investigated [ 44 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatty Acids and Their Metal Salts: A Review of Their Infrared Spectra in Light of Their Presence in Cultural Heritage

2021

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In a cultural heritage context, fatty acids are usually found as breakdown products of lipid-containing organic remains in archaeological findings, binders in aged oil paintings, and additives in modern art-related materials. They may further interact with the ionic environment transforming into metal soaps, a process that has been recognized as a threat in aged paintings but has received less attention in archaeological objects. The investigation of the above related categories of materials with infrared spectroscopy can provide an overall picture of the organic components’ identity and demonstrate their condition and prehistory. The capability of investigating and distinguishing fatty acids and their metal soaps through their rich infrared features, such as the acidic carbonyl, the carboxylate shifts, the variable splits of alkyl chain stretching, bending, twisting, wagging, and rocking vibrations, as well as the hydroxyl peak envelopes and acid dimer bands, allows for their direct detailed characterization. This paper reviews the infrared spectra of selected saturated fatty monoacids and diacids, and their corresponding sodium, calcium, and zinc salts and, supported by newly recorded data, highlights the significance of their spectroscopic features.

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“…Beeswax can be applied post-firing to make the vessel water resistant because of its hydrophobic nature [ 1 ]. This has been frequently suggested in ORA studies that identified beeswax [ 9 , 21 , 30 , 44 , 84 ]. A beeswax sealant would benefit vessels meant to store liquids, and correspondingly, beeswax biomarkers were identified in vessel forms related to storage and liquids—jars in this study and amphorae, juglets, flasks and chalices in previous studies [ 24 , 44 , 84 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…This has been frequently suggested in ORA studies that identified beeswax [ 9 , 21 , 30 , 44 , 84 ]. A beeswax sealant would benefit vessels meant to store liquids, and correspondingly, beeswax biomarkers were identified in vessel forms related to storage and liquids—jars in this study and amphorae, juglets, flasks and chalices in previous studies [ 24 , 44 , 84 ]. Cooking vessels would likely not receive a beeswax sealant because beeswax melts at 62–65°C [ 15 ], so the sealant would need to be frequently reapplied, and the flavour and texture of the sealant could be undesirably incorporated into the cooked food.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Bee products in the prehistoric southern levant: evidence from the lipid organic record

et al. 2021

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Beehive products have a rich global history. In the wider Levantine region, bees had a significant role in Egypt and Mesopotamia, and intensive beekeeping was noted in Israel during the Biblical period when apiaries were first identified. This study investigates the origins of this extensive beekeeping through organic residue analysis of pottery from prehistoric sites in the southern Levant. The results suggest that beehive products from likely wild bees were used during the Chalcolithic period as a vessel surface treatment and/or as part of the diet. These functions are reinforced by comparison to the wider archaeological record. While the true frequency of beeswax use may be debated, alternatives to beehive products were seemingly preferred as wild resources contrasted with the socio-economic system centred on domesticated resources, controlled production and standardization. Bee products only became an important part of the economic canon in the southern Levant several millennia later.

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Application of Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) to the analysis of archeological ceramic amphorae belonging to the Carthaginian fleet that was defeated in the Egadi battle (241 B.C.)

Cited by 17 publications

References 5 publications

A Multi-Analytical Study of Egyptian Funerary Artifacts from Three Portuguese Museum Collections

A Multi-Analytical Study of Egyptian Funerary Artifacts from Three Portuguese Museum Collections

Fatty Acids and Their Metal Salts: A Review of Their Infrared Spectra in Light of Their Presence in Cultural Heritage

Bee products in the prehistoric southern levant: evidence from the lipid organic record

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