Studio microanalitico sui contenitori da trasporto dalla villa romana Bocca delle Menate (Comacchio – FE)

Abstract

This paper presents a microanalytical characterization of amphora samples from the Roman villa site in Bocca delle Menate, Comacchio (FE), located in the Northern Adriatic area. Previous archaeological studies indicate that the majority of transport containers date back to the first half of the first century BCE and the first half of the third century AD. In this study, a total of 58 amphora samples were analyzed using a combination of Munsell chart and stereomicroscopic techniques to describe the clays and tempers. The objective was to categorize the amphora sherds into fabric groups. A smaller subset of samples was further analyzed using the non-destructive analytical technique of SEM-EDS to provide a semi-quantitative chemical characterization of the major elements in the fabric. It should be noted that the results of this research are preliminary and further analyses are recommended to determine a more accurate provenance of the amphorae.