Effects of anthropogenic activities in a Mediterranean coastland: the case study of the Falerno-Domitio littoral in Campania, Tyrrhenian Sea (southern Italy)

Local production and imitations of Late Roman pottery from a well in the Roman necropolis of Cuma in Naples, Italy

“…The aplastic inclusions (packing 10–25%), moderately sorted (average σ ϕ =0.74 ), with a subcircular shape (average C = 0.81) and dimensions ranging from very fine granules (2.01 mm) to fine silt (0.01 mm; average ϕ mF = 4.9), were arranged in a bimodal texture, as testified by the negative tails of the ϕ size curves toward low values (Figure h). The coarser particles, most probably representing the temper as also inferred by their textural features characterized by well‐rounded and well‐sorted sandy–silty elements, appear compositionally consistent with Phlegraean beach sands (Balassone et al, ; Morra et al, ).…”

“…On the contrary, the large data set of archaeological and archaeometric data of pottery revealed an enduring tradition in volcanic temper exploitation (Greco et al, ; Grifa et al, ; Morra et al, ; Munzi et al, ). Taking into consideration the textural features (sorting and circularity) and the mineralogical assemblage, such a mixed‐source temper resembled the shoreline deposits from Mondragone to north of Cuma, where beach sands are affected by the flux of siliciclastic and carbonate sediments of the Volturno River with a volcanic component derived from Campanian volcanoes (Balassone et al, ; Morra et al, ). It is worth highlighting that such sand was a valuable geomaterial, largely used in antiquity by Phlegraean artisans (including Cuma) as starting materials for glass and green/blue pigments, as also claimed by Vitruvius (Grifa et al, ).…”

“…The Campanian littoral is characterized by a complex sedimentary system that influences its mineralogy. Apennine siliciclastic and carbonate outcrops widely affect the mineralogical assemblage of sands, although the occurrence of a secondary volcanic component from the activity of volcanic systems (Somma‐Vesuvius, Phlegraean Fields, and Roccamonfina) is common (Balassone et al, ; Morra et al, ). These three main mineralogical components vary in concentration moving north to south along the coast (Balassone et al, ).…”

“…The occurrence of a mixed carbonate + volcanic + siliciclastic temper in Group 1 permitted locating the supply zone of temper grains just north of Cuma where this type of beach sand is supplied by the actions of the Volturno River (Balassone et al, ). Moreover, the mineral chemistry of the volcanic fraction was compatible with minerals forming the Phlegraean volcanics (Morra et al, ).…”

“…Moreover, the mineral chemistry of the volcanic fraction was compatible with minerals forming the Phlegraean volcanics (Morra et al, ). Microscopic and mineralogical data highlighted that the amount of carbonate component decreases in the Group 2 samples and sample CM19, whereas, a volcanic component matching the mineralogical composition of Phleagrean Fields rocks occurs (e.g., sanidine, diopside, Fe‐rich diopside, biotite; Grifa et al, ), suggesting a supply of raw materials close to the ancient Cuma shoreline (Balassone et al, ; Morra et al, ). Hence, the aforementioned arguments lead to the hypothesis that ancient Cuma (or the surrounding area) contained a workshop producing local common wares and imitation Aegean‐like shapes.…”