In today’s #thread we are heading back to @pompeii_sites to learn more about the chemical composition of the tesserae employed in two mosaics of the House of the Gilded Cupids (Regio VI, 16, 7).
In today’s #thread we are heading back to @pompeii_sites to learn more about the chemical composition of the tesserae employed in two mosaics of the House of the Gilded Cupids (Regio VI, 16, 7).
In today’s #thread we are heading back to @pompeii_sites to learn more about the chemical composition of the tesserae employed in two mosaics of the House of the Gilded Cupids (Regio VI, 16, 7).
Welcome to the garden of the House of the Gilded Cupids, surrounded by the perystile, which is opened to the main rooms of the house. https://twitter.com/pompeii_sites/status/1198989312173449219
The house was named after the glass medaillons with gilded cupids, found at cubiculum I. https://twitter.com/cinnabarim/status/1259538526728847373
For today’s #thread, we will be focusing on the mosaics of the tablinum E, whose mural painting depicting Paris and Helen has already been discussed and compared to the parallel found at the House of Jason (Regio IX, 5, 18). https://twitter.com/cinnabarim/status/1259538568999043073
In order to study these mosaics, portable analytical equipment has been used, so as to avoid sampling. Among other techniques, Raman spectroscopy (for the molecular composition) and X-ray fluorescence (for elemental analysis) have been employed.
In order to study these mosaics, portable analytical equipment has been used, so as to avoid sampling. Among other techniques, Raman spectroscopy (for the molecular composition) and X-ray fluorescence (for elemental analysis) have been employed.
In order to study these mosaics, portable analytical equipment has been used, so as to avoid sampling. Among other techniques, Raman spectroscopy (for the molecular composition) and X-ray fluorescence (for elemental analysis) have been employed.
If you observe both mosaics, you will notice there are white, red, orange and black tesserae. Could you guess how these tones were obtained?
If you observe both mosaics, you will notice there are white, red, orange and black tesserae. Could you guess how these tones were obtained?
If you observe both mosaics, you will notice there are white, red, orange and black tesserae. Could you guess how these tones were obtained?
Let’s start with the basics. White tesserae were composed by a calcite-based matrix (CaCO3), cut and shaped to be cubic. However, gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) has also been punctually detected and is related to the interaction of atmospheric SOx gases in rainwater with calcite.
Let’s start with the basics. White tesserae were composed by a calcite-based matrix (CaCO3), cut and shaped to be cubic. However, gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) has also been punctually detected and is related to the interaction of atmospheric SOx gases in rainwater with calcite.
Let’s start with the basics. White tesserae were composed by a calcite-based matrix (CaCO3), cut and shaped to be cubic. However, gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) has also been punctually detected and is related to the interaction of atmospheric SOx gases in rainwater with calcite.
This SOx-related degradation also occurs in mural paintings and derives in losses of the pictorial layer, as we have seen in this #thread, due to the gypsum solubility. It could be a threat for the mosaics as well if extended to the whole calcite matrix. https://twitter.com/cinnabarim/status/1256643161734201345
Red and orange tesserae were white cubic calcite tesserae, whose surface was painted with a red ochre pigment (hematite) or a dilution of red hematite in calcite, in the case of the orange hue.
Red and orange tesserae were white cubic calcite tesserae, whose surface was painted with a red ochre pigment (hematite) or a dilution of red hematite in calcite, in the case of the orange hue.
Red and orange tesserae were white cubic calcite tesserae, whose surface was painted with a red ochre pigment (hematite) or a dilution of red hematite in calcite, in the case of the orange hue.
If you want to learn more about the use of red (and yellow) ochre pigments in mural paintings at @pompeii_sites and their thermal transformation, have a look at this #thread: https://twitter.com/cinnabarim/status/1263151382086979584
Finally, black tesserae showed the use of local sources, such as volcanic rocks. The dark hue is due to the occurrence of diopside (CaMgSi2O6), a clinopyroxene present in many igneous rocks, among other volcanic mineral phases.
Finally, black tesserae showed the use of local sources, such as volcanic rocks. The dark hue is due to the occurrence of diopside (CaMgSi2O6), a clinopyroxene present in many igneous rocks, among other volcanic mineral phases.
Finally, black tesserae showed the use of local sources, such as volcanic rocks. The dark hue is due to the occurrence of diopside (CaMgSi2O6), a clinopyroxene present in many igneous rocks, among other volcanic mineral phases.
In case you have ever wondered how mosaics are detached from their original place on an archaeological site, you may enjoy this #thread: https://twitter.com/cinnabarim/status/1269334140492689411
And if you want to read about our research on mosaics of the House of the Gilded Cupids (Regio VI, 16, 7) at @pompeii_sites, have a look at this publication! https://twitter.com/SpringerOpen/status/1099972271081287682
Aquí te cuento este #hilo en castellano: https://twitter.com/cinnabarim/status/1274356841644994562
You can follow @cinnabarim.
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