Selection of sample sites, following their contextualisation within a historico-archaeological framework. This involves the creation of detailed work sheets, to collate and review the existing information for each site.

 

Activity in the field

  • Selection of sample sites, following their contextualisation within a historico-archaeological framework. This involves the creation of detailed work sheets, to collate and review the existing information for each site.
  • In-situ selection of the best mortar samples, based on their archaeometric potential, in terms of physical and mechanical characterisation (resistance; cohesion; inhomogeneity; degree of carbonation; binders conservation, among others).
  • Collection of the samples.

 

Laboratory-based analysis

  • Mineralogical, petrographic, chemical and physical analysis of mortars (identification of the type of binder and of the nature of the aggregate) with transmitted light microscopy (OM); electron microscopy (SEM-EDS); X-ray diffractometry (XRF); cathodoluminescence (CL); Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR); Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
  • Archaeobotanical analysis of any anthracological remains found within mortars which relate to charred wood fragments (the residue of the firewood used as fuel in the process of calcination of limestone): dendro-anthracological measurements; taxonomic identification of wood species.
  • Analysis of the carbon found within the lime lumps or in the mortar binder, after the removal of any sources of contamination, following the innovative protocol (Cryo2SoniC) developed by the Università della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”.
  • Radiocarbon dating of the binder through accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS); radiocarbon dating of the archaeobotanical residue contained in the sample; comparison of the data acquired; creation of a relational database.
  • Construction of an interpretive statistical model, based on advanced algorithms of data analysis and processing, elaborated through the integration of both relative and absolute chronology markers, as acquired from the various branches of the multidisciplinary research.

 

Final objectives

  • Codification of the various steps of the process (fieldwork sampling and laboratory analyses) and finalisation of the investigative protocol.
  • Reassessment of the key historical questions relating to the chronology of incastellamento through the newly discovered dating information.