RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 A multi-technique approach to unveil the composition and fabrication of a pre-Roman glass masterpiece: a double-faced human-head shape polychrome glass pendant (2nd -1st c. BC)
A1 Barroso Solares, Suset
A1 Estalayo, E.
A1 Aramendia, J.
A1 Rodriguez Gutierrez, E
A1 Sanz Mínguez, Carlos
A1 Prieto, A. C.
A1 Madariaga, J. M.
A1 Pinto Sanz, Javier
K1 X-ray fluorescence
K1 Raman spectroscopy
K1 X-ray tomography
K1 Phoenician
K1 Iberian Peninsula
AB Pre-Roman glass craftsmanship reached its summit with the development of complex polychrome glass beads, being thePhoenician glass pendants the most exquisite and elaborate example. The uniqueness and complexity of such findingscould reveal key information for the understanding of the production and trade of glass pieces at that age. However, thesefindings have practically never been studied from a physic-chemical perspective. In this work, a remarkable polychromeglass pendant (2nd -1st c. BC) found at the archaeological site of Pintia (Padilla de Duero, Valladolid, Spain) is studiedby a multi-analytical non-destructive approach, employing X-ray tomography to understand its fabrication procedure,as well as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Raman spectroscopy, both employed in microscopic mode, to determine thecomposition of each glass employed in its fabrication. The outstanding preservation state and well-defined archaeologicalcontext of this glass pendant offered a unique opportunity to expand the understanding of pre-Roman glass pieces, whilethe combination of the experimental techniques employed provided the first complete and detailed study of a Phoenicianglass pendant. The fabrication procedure of the pendant has been identified step-by-step, showing evidence of the use ofpre-made pieces for the eyes, as well as hints of its fabrication in a secondary workshop. Moreover, the microchemicalanalysis of the vividly colored glasses by XRF and Raman spectroscopy revealed a composition compatible with the useof natron as fluxing agent, typical of Phoenician glass, the presence of surface alterations corresponding to carbonatationprocesses, as well as the nature of the employed chromophores or pigments: Mn, Cu, and Co for the blue, Fe-S for theblack, CaSb2O7 and CaSb2O7 + TiO2 for two diverse white glasses, and a pyrochloric triple oxide (Pb2Sb2 − xSnxO7−x/2)and lead oxides for the yellow. Remarkably, the use of pyrochloric triple oxides as yellow pigments has scarcely beenpreviously reported at that age. Finally, the identification by Raman spectroscopy of CaSb2O7 and the β-phase of CaSiO3,as well as the Raman spectra features of the glass matrix corresponding to the blue glass, indicated maximum firing tem-peratures below 1100 °C.
PB Springer
SN 1866-9557
YR 2024
FD 2024
LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/75201
UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/75201
LA eng
NO Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 2024, vol. 16, n.9
NO Producción Científica
DS UVaDOC
RD 02-abr-2025