Naslov
The Cibalae Treasure - preliminary technological overview

Autori
Doračić, Damir ; Lang, Janet

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, ostalo

Skup
Archaeometallurgy in Europe IV

Mjesto i datum
Madrid, Španjolska, 01.06.2015. - 03.06.2015

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
The Cibalae Treasure; technological examination; manufacture techniques

Sažetak
In spring 2012. at Vinkovci, Croatia a rare and extraordinary late Roman silver treasure was discovered during the rescue archaeological excavation performed by private company Geoarheo LLC. The treasure comprises roughly 46 tableware objects like platters, bowls, ewers, beakers, spoons and other vessels most of which are heavily corroded and fragmented except a few smaller objects. The poster presents the results of preliminary examination conducted on limited number of objects prior to conservation- restoration treatment. More detailed technological examination will be carried out subsequently on each object individually during the forthcoming time-consuming conservation-restoration process. The aim of this preliminary examination was to provide the initial information about the composition of the metal and the corrosion products as well as the methods of manufacture and decoration. The analytical methods used included optical microscopy, radiography, X-ray diffraction analysis, PIXE and XRF analysis. The results obtained show that the basic corrosion products found on most of the objects are chlorargyrite and acanthite with some minor compounds like bromargyrite, quartz and calcite indicating high purity of the silver. Only a few objects also contained malachite showing possible deliberate alloying with copper. The techniques used in manufacture of the objects are well known and include casting, hammering, turning, chasing, punching, engraving, soldering etc. Most of the objects are decorated either just by simple chased or engraved decoration, either by niello and gilded decoration. As expected, niello consists of pure acanthite while the gold was applied using mercury gilding method. Based on the analytical results of several solder samples, almost pure lead was used for soldering. The treasure is temporarily stored at the Archaeological museum in Zagreb where most of the conservation work will be done in cooperation with Römisch-Geramanisches Zentralmuseum in Mainz, Germany.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Metalurgija, Arheologija

POVEZANOST RADA