Nondestructive Analysis of Wall Paintings at Ostia Antica

Roman wall paintings at Ostia Antica were studied for the first time in situ in an integrated approach using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) depth profiling, portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and visible induced luminescence (VIL) in order to explore the materials used in their construction and gain insight into the evolution of the Roman painting technique over time. NMR revealed the signatures of covered wall paintings through details of the structure of the top painted mortar layers, and the loss of this information that can be encountered when paintings are detached from the wall for preservation purposes. XRF provided information about the pigment composition of the paintings, and VIL was used to identify Egyptian Blue. Egyptian Blue was only found in the earlier wall paintings studied dating from 1st century B.C.E. to the 1st century C.E. The pigment palette seems to become limited to iron-based pigments in the later paintings, whereas the palette of the earlier paintings appears to be more varied including mercury, lead, and copper-based pigments.

EXPERIÊNCIA SOCIAL DA MORTE EM FRAGMENTO DE SARCÓFAGO INFANTIL

Visamos refletir acerca das imagens da morte em um fragmento de sarcófago infantil localizado no museu de Ostia Antica. Datado do século II d.C., em Isola Sacra, entre Ostia e Portus, o sarcófago contém uma procissão de cupidos com motivos dionisíacos. Sabemos ter havido uma valorização das crianças no espaço funério; meninos e meninas aparecem homenageados em uma grande variedade de suportes como, por exemplo, estelas, altares, retratos, urnas, sarcófagos, que registram o luto e as representações acerca do sentimento de perda, individualidade, e seus ambientes de entretenimento, nascimento, educação, entre outros mais. Partindo, então, dessas observações, propomos compreender, em especial, a experiência social da criança incorporada à narrativa sagrada dos cupidos dionisíacos.Palavras-chave: Experiência Social, Morte e Sarcófago

Freshwater–Saltwater Interactions in a Multilayer Coastal Aquifer (Ostia Antica Archaeological Park, Central ITALY)

An integrated research approach consisting of hydrogeologic and geochemical methods was applied to a coastal aquifer in the Ostia Antica archaeological park, Roma, Italy, to describe freshwater–saltwater interactions. The archaeological park of Ostia Antica is located on the left bank of the Tevere River delta which developed on a morphologically depressed area. The water monitoring program included the installation of multiparametric probes in some wells inside the archaeological area, with continuous measurement of temperature, electrical conductivity, and water table level. Field surveys, water sampling, and major elements and bromide analyses were carried out on a seasonal basis in 2016. In order to understand the detailed stratigraphic setting of the area, three surface boreholes were accomplished. Two distinct circulations were identified during the dry season, with local interaction in the rainy period: an upper one within the archaeological cover, less saline and with recharge inland; and a deeper one in the alluvial materials of Tevere River, affected by salinization. Oxygen and carbon isotopic signature of calcite in the sediments extracted from the boreholes, along with major elements and Br concentration, allowed us to recognize the sources of salinity (mainly, local interaction with Roman salt pans and agricultural practices) and the processes of gas–water–rock interaction occurring in the area. All these inferences were confirmed and strengthened by PCA analysis of physicochemical data of groundwater.

Soluble Salts Quantitative Characterization and Thermodynamic Modeling on Roman Bricks to Assess the Origin of Their Formation

The environmental weathering and the formation of efflorescences on the brick walls are studied at the “Casa di Diana” Mithraeum at Ostia Antica archaeological site. Previous studies on subsoil, bedrock, hydrological systems and environmental conditions, and new ion chromatography analysis combined with ECOS-RUNSALT and Medusa-Hydra thermodynamic modelling software, had allowed us to identify the subsoil contamination related to soluble salts. The atmospheric acidic gases, CO2 and SO2, are determined as the main salt weathering species. A dry deposition after a subsequent hydration action from the shallow freshwater aquifer that reaches up to 1 m on the walls is identified as the mechanism of salt formation. An evaluation of potential sources such as the nearby Fiumicino airport, CO2-rich gases inputs from fumaroles and CO2 inputs was also debated. The risk level of contamination the surfaces of the materials should be considered mildly/very polluted with a medium/high risk of hygroscopic moisture due to the high concentration of sulphates.