A computer-based method for the accurate analysis of the trilobate spouts found in the cathedral of Amiternum

Abstract

Abstract The traditional manual method of analysis of ceramic finds involves expert operators in long and routine activities whose results depend on their subjectivity, specialization, and professional experience. This implies that the analysis of sherds is carried out using few data affected by high uncertainty. These limitations are even more clear with fragments with small axially symmetric portions whose elements of the investigation are not axially symmetric, such as handles, spouts, decorations. In this way both the axis of symmetry of the original object and the reference planes and/or axes of the characteristic dimensions of the elements are identified with such approximations as to compromise subsequent analyses and comparisons. To overcome these limitations, in this paper a new computer-based procedure is proposed. As a case study, the analysis fragments of jugs/bowls with trilobed spouts found in the site of Amiternum, coming from 12th-13th century contexts are considered; their analysis is fundamental to analyze the site where they were found since there is no archival documentation about their use.