National Archaeological Research Articles

When from Technology Comes Beauty: A Glass-Gem Case Study to Promote Inclusive and High-Quality Learning Paths in Heritage Science

The glass-gem collection at the National Archeological Museum of Aquileia (Italy) was recently studied by in-depth archaeometric investigation campaigns, which are still running. Some objects in this very rich collection were characterized by performing a completely non-destructive analysis. In order to enhance our knowledge of Heritage Science, specific educational paths were designed, which, in one case, were already tested in a summer school involving Italian middle-school students. This article will characterize a single glass-gem (as a case study), highlighting how ancient craftsmen combined technical skill and product beauty expertly. A multidisciplinary approach yielded valuable details about morphology, composition, and production technique, demonstrating additional information beyond that gleaned from typological and iconographic studies. At the same time, educational pathways based on this research study are valuable, inclusive, and high-quality examples in the so-called STEM field that develop better knowledge, conservation methods, and techniques for the enhancement of cultural heritage collections.

From tiny to immense: Geological spotlight on the Alexander Mosaic (National Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy) using non-invasive in situ analyses.

A key challenge in the art and archaeological field is the instrumental analysis of objects and materials while preserving their integrity. In this study, the world-renowned artwork Alexander Mosaic (The Issus Battle, collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, IT), the most iconic representation of the face of the Macedonian king Alexander the Great coming from a Pompeii domus, was thoroughly analyzed with mobile and non-invasive methods, within a great project of restoration started in 2020. Representative areas of the Mosaic, overall consisting of ca. two million of tesserae, was studied by in situ videomicroscopy, infrared thermography (IRT), multispectral imaging, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. Ten tesserae colors were discriminated, and hypotheses on their geological provenances are proposed. Plasters, mineral components and other substances of old protective materials were characterized. The information obtained with this approach paved the way to knowledgeable restoration.

Бронзов бръснач от колекцията на Националния археологически институт с музей към Българската академия на науките

Among the numerous objects kept in the collections of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences there is one object that stands out for its specific characteristics. It is a moon-shaped blade with a handle – most probably a razor. The aim of the present article is to publish this object, and to attempt to clarify its cultural affiliation and relative chronology. The dimensions of the bronze razor are: length (with the handle) – 13.5 cm; length of the handle – 4 cm; width (max.) – 5.1 cm; thickness of the blade – 0.1 cm; width (middle) – 4.00 cm; diameter of the ring on the handle – 1.3x1.2 cm; thickness of the handle – 0.4 cm. In conclusion, it can be pointed out that the object fits perfectly into a group of artefacts whose territorial distribution, of the particular type of Vetulonia, covers the lands of northern Italy within the historical limits of northern Etruria and more precisely its central part. The dating can be placed at the time of the first phase of the Early Iron Age, in a relatively narrow time span (10th–7th centuries BC). Considering the archaeological context in which these objects are usually found, as well as their semantic context, there should be no objection to interpreting it as part of the grave goods belonging to a male individual associated with the initiations of growth, maturation and incorporation into the community that generated and produced this type of bronze ware.

Officina di IG XIV2 – New Braziers from Taranto Evidence of Trade Exchanges in the Mediterranean

This paper examines some unpublished braziers, currently stored at the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto. Three of them are inscribed with the same anthroponym in the genitive case (Ἑκαταίου), while the remaining eight are anepigraphic. Braziers, which were used both in daily life and as domestic furnishings, were widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean during the Hellenistic period. These new findings further confirm the involvement of Taranto, along with some other Italian cities, in the trade and circulation of these objects throughout the Mediterranean area. This paper aims to provide an overview of this phenomenon, with a particular focus on the identity of Hekataios and the characteristics of his production.

Development Characteristics and Controlling Factors of Karst Aquifer Media in a Typical Peak Forest Plain: A Case Study of Zengpiyan National Archaeological Site Park, South China

The medium development characteristics and controlling factors of the karst peak forest plain water system constitute the core of analyzing the complex and variable hydrogeological environment, especially in revealing the controlling factors between the hydrological system and karst development characteristics, which is crucial for a deeper understanding of karst hydrogeological environments. This study takes Zengpiyan in Guilin as an example and conducts a dynamic clustering analysis on the advantageous occurrence of fracture development in three sampling areas. A total of 3472 karst channels and fractures were identified and measured. Our research reveals the following: (1) The high degree of development of fissures on surface rock outcrops is mainly formed by the expansion of shear joints through dissolution and erosion. The dip angles of fissures are mainly characterized by low angles, with fissures with dip angles between 18° and 80° accounting for 65.44% of the total observed fissures. The linear density of fissures is 3.64 per meter. (2) There are significant differences in the line density of cracks and fissures in different areas of the research area. For example, the line density in Sampling Area 1 is 0.99 lines per meter, while the line density in Sampling Area 3 reaches 5.02 lines per meter. In addition, the extension length of cracks is generally long, with joints with extension lengths exceeding 1.5 m accounting for 77.46% of the total observed joints and through cracks with extension lengths exceeding 5 m accounting for 23.33%. (3) The development characteristics of underground karst reveal that underground karst caves are mainly distributed at elevations of 120 to 160 m, with a drilling encounter rate of about 43.3%. It is also noted that geological structures control the horizontal distribution of karst, and geological lithology, hydrodynamic conditions, and water carbon dioxide concentrations are key factors affecting the vertical zoning of karst. This study provides an important scientific basis for understanding the development characteristics and controlling factors of karst water system media in peak forest plains and has important guiding significance for water resource management in karst areas and disaster prevention during tunnel excavation.

Study and Publishing for a Collection of Abbasid Dirhams at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid

Study and Publishing for a Collection of Abbasid Dirhams at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid

The first step towards FAIR-ness in Bulgarian archaeology: The Archaeological Map of Bulgaria in ARIADNE and ARIADNEplus

Summary This article provides an overview of the participation of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM-BAS) as a partner in both the ARIADNE and ARIADNEplus projects and the SEADDA COST Action. The article examines both the workflow and the results obtained when modifying and mapping part of the national site and monuments information system, also known as the 'Archaeological Map of Bulgaria' (AIS AKB). The article's focus is mainly on the technical preparation of data shared through the ARIADNE portal. The main workflow followed throughout the projects included mapping terms to the Getty AAT thesaurus, adding Bulgarian archaeological chronologies to PeriodO, and mapping metadata to the ARIADNE catalogue data model (ACDM) in ARIADNE and to the AO-cat ontology in ARIADNEplus. In 2016, a mapping of AIS AKB to the CIDOC CRM was also undertaken, and the first steps towards creating the geographic information system, 'Archaeological Map of Bulgaria' (GIS AKB), were taken. The experience gathered by the NAIM-BAS team members throughout the whole project was important for moving towards FAIR-ness in Bulgarian archaeology.

Technical examination, elemental analysis and conservation of the arm of a colossal bronze statue from Aegion at the conservation laboratories of the National Archaeological Museum at Athens

The bronze arm, belonging to a colossal statue (presented by A. G. Vordos in this volume), was examined at the Chemical-Physical Research & Archaeometry Laboratory of the National Archaeological Museum (NAM) in Athens. According to prevailing methodology the examination comprised: macroscopic, microscopic and endoscopic examination, elemental analysis p-XRF, X-ray radiography, recording of ancient repairs. It is assumed that the arm was manufactured by the indirect lost wax casting technique and was found to contain an enormous amount of lead (av. 40.15 %), a fact that dates it to the late Hellenistic or Roman period. The arm was consequently conserved at the Metal Conservation Laboratory of the NAM and it has now been returned to the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia in Patras

The arm of a large-scale bronze statue from Aigion, Achaea, Greece

The arm of the large-scale bronze statue presented in the current research was handed over in 1951 to the Ephorate of Antiquities in Aigio of Achaia and constitutes a typical yet exquisite example of Peloponnesian oversized statuary in bronze. The area where the arm was found coincides with the location of the ancient agora, as well as, according to previous excavation works, the place where the temenos of Zeus Soter, patron deity of the ancient polis of Aigion, is located. Based on the surviving fragment/limb, several issues regarding statue typology are further discussed, while its posture is suggested as ‘standing in grandeur’. The identification of a divine figure, probably that of Zeus, is supported by the location of discovery and the object it was supposedly holding, combined with the numismatic issues of Aigion depicting the same type of statuary of the supreme god. The dating of the statue in mid Hellenistic years onwards agrees with the scientific analysis of the alloy, carried out in the laboratories of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.

Some Italic Heracles from the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid

The paper presents an archaeometallurgical analysis made on a group of Italic bronze figures from the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid (MAN-Madrid) whose common theme is that they all represent Heracles in different attitudes.

Metal Fragments of Roman Pipes from Pompeii: Investigations on Copper-Based Alloys, Corrosion Products, and Surface Treatments

This work reports the study of metal fragments from Roman pipes excavated from the archaeological site of Pompeii and currently preserved in the deposits of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN). The Roman pipe, called the tibia, is a reed wind musical instrument similar to the Greek aulos. It can be made of wood, bone, and/or metal. Materials consisting of metal Cu-based alloys were excavated from archaeological burial environments. This research aims to identify the composition of the alloys, characterize the corrosion patinas, and identify any ancient surface treatments on the fragments. Non-invasive and micro-invasive techniques were used to achieve this aim, i.e., optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometry. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the materials and manufacturing techniques used for these instruments, as well as the degradation processes occurring over the centuries.

A Study of the Spatial–Temporal Development Patterns and Influencing Factors of China’s National Archaeological Site Parks

National Archaeological Site Parks are strategic projects in China for innovatively exploring the scientific protection and rational utilization of large heritage sites for the purpose of balancing urban development and protecting cultural heritage. Therefore, research on the spatial–temporal evolution and influencing factors of National Archaeological Site Parks can improve and optimize their management and pattern systems and is therefore of great significance for the sustainable development of large sites and their surrounding areas. Targeting the 135 National Archaeological Site Parks of China, this paper adopts the nearest-neighbor index analytical method, the kernel density estimation method, the standard deviation ellipse method, the method of constructing an indicator system, and an SPSS factor analysis method to analyze the spatial–temporal evolution and influencing factors of these parks. The findings are as follows: (1) In terms of the temporal evolution, the number of National Archaeological Site Parks increased from 2010 to 2022, and the ages and types of the large heritage sites they are built upon gradually became more balanced and diverse. (2) In terms of the spatial evolution, National Archaeological Site Parks form two high-density areas in Central China and East China. Their overall distribution is consistent with China’s “Hu Line”. (3) In terms of spatial–temporal evolution, the center of gravity of National Archaeological Site Parks’ distribution is advancing toward Southwest China, and the trend of a more balanced distribution is rising. (4) Finally, regional development, heritage tourism, historical resources, and government support were observed to be factors that affect the spatial–temporal patterns of the National Archaeological Site Parks. Based on these findings, we propose specific strategies for coordinating and linking the above four major influencing factors to promote the rational utilization of large heritage sites and the sustainable development of National Archaeological Site Parks. We aim to improve and optimize the management and pattern systems of National Archaeological Site Parks, to promote urban renewal based on large heritage sites, and to provide valuable insights for policy makers and heritage practitioners in other countries with historical resources around the world.

Penelusuran sisa-sisa Kerajaan yang hilang dibalik Letusan Gunung Tambora di Situs Doro Bente

The archaeological research in the Tambora Peninsula was initiated by the National Archaeological Research Center in 2006, and from 2008 onwards, it was continued by the Archaeological Office in Denpasar-Bali until 2021. Numerous archaeological pieces of evidence have been successfully excavated from Mount Tambora's pyroclastic material. Recent research has been focused on the Doro Bente Site on the Teluk Saleh Peninsula. The research aims to understand the sequence of historical events on settlement centers based on artifact evidence resulting from the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815. The study employs qualitative, descriptive methods, and a geoarchaeological approach. Data acquisition involves excavation, surveys, and literature studies. Stratigraphic analysis is conducted to identify sediment matrices and understand the deposition sequence. Excavation activities have uncovered significant artifacts such as ceramic fragments, pottery, animal bones, and shell fragments. Micro-scale deposition chronology in excavation box B28U18 indicates that the three lower layers, the oldest, were deposited in a marine environment, followed by five layers of pyroclastic material from the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora. The geographical factors and available natural resources make Sumbawa Island a focal point for Chinese and European attention from the 13th to the 19th centuries AD.

SEA BROUGHT ONTO LAND: SEASCAPE IMAGERY IN THE CYCLADIC POTTERY FROM PHYLAKOPI (MELOS) IN THE NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, ATHENS

This study examines seascape depictions on pottery, including seafaring and sea creature scenes, from the 1896–9 excavations at Phylakopi on Melos, held in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. This analysis demonstrates that seascape scenes varied in character through time and were typically associated with vessel shapes connected to the pouring of liquids between Early Cycladic (EC) III and Middle Cycladic late and were later focused on basins. A focus on seafaring is evident in EC III, while later the iconographic focus on the sea concentrates on sea creatures. An iconographic interest in the sea, alongside that of birds and floral depictions, is suggestive of an interest in living forms that inhabit different places to humans (i.e., non-domestic) with different corporeality to humans. This research contributes further to the growing debate on human–animal/plant relationships and ontologies in the Aegean Bronze Age.

Update and synthesis of the available archaeological and geochronological data for the Lower Paleolithic site of Loreto at Venosa (Basilicata, Italy)

Abstract In the Basilicata region, located in southern Italy and known for hosting among the first occurrences of the Acheulean culture in southwestern Europe, the Lower Paleolithic site of Loreto at Venosa is located less than a kilometer from the emblematic site of Notarchirico and less than 25 km from Cimitero di Atella. The Loreto site has not been studied as thoroughly as the two other sites and, although geological investigations have been carried out in the Venosa basin, no direct numerical dating has ever been published for the three archaeological levels brought to light during the excavation campaigns. We present a multi-method geochronological approach combining ESR/U-series, ESR, and 40Ar/39Ar permitting to refine the age of the most ancient archaeological level (A) of the Loreto site. These data allow us to propose an MIS 13 age for this level, in accordance with previous hypotheses based on geological and paleontological data. We also propose a technical review of the lithic tools preserved in the collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Venosa to integrate Loreto in the evolution scheme of the European Acheulean techno-complex emergence and diffusion.

A Study on the Perceived Tourist Image of the Jingzhou Xiongjiazong National Archaeological Site Park Based on Network Text Analysis

With the advent of the big data era, establishing a database by collecting network reviews of destination-related websites from various tourism platforms allows for the acquisition of tourists' perceptions of destinations. This provides a novel approach for researching the perceived tourist image of national archaeological site parks. This study employs network text analysis to investigate the perceived tourist image of the Xiongjiazong National Archaeological Site Park. It collects network reviews from tourism websites such as Ctrip Travel, Dianping, and Mafengwo about the Xiongjiazong National Archaeological Site Park. The study utilizes rostcm software for frequency analysis, semantic network analysis, and sentiment analysis to explore tourists' preferences for the archaeological site park. Simultaneously, it analyzes tourists' perceptions of the Xiongjiazong National Archaeological Site Park from four aspects: archaeological culture, park environment, park facilities, and management services. Four conclusions are drawn: firstly, "Chema Zhen" is the most direct and profound cognition of the park by tourists, aligning with the park's theme; secondly, expressions like "worth seeing," "shocking," and "spectacular" signify high satisfaction among tourists regarding the site's landscapes; thirdly, overall, tourists tend to have a more positive attitude towards visiting; fourthly, the rich archaeological culture, serene and beautiful park environment, awe-inspiring Chema Zhen, comprehensive and interesting park facilities, patient and meticulous service attitude, digital design, and immersive experience have left a favorable impression on tourists. Finally, this paper proposes corresponding strategies to enrich the display of cultural relics, improve the park environment, enhance promotional efforts, refine park facilities, and optimize management services.

The stone artifacts of the National Archaeological Museum of Adria (Rovigo, Italy): a noteworthy example of heterogeneity

This paper reports on the results of the analyses of 56 stone samples from Roman and pre-Roman artifacts from the ancient town of Atria, currently preserved at the National Archaeological Museum of Adria. The city is located in the eastern Veneto lowlands, close to the Po River delta, and far from the main rock outcrops of the region. The objective of this research is to determine the provenance of the stones used in ancient Atria and their trade networks. The analytical techniques adopted include polarized-light optical microscopy (PLM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and quantitative phase analysis by X-ray powder diffraction (QPA-XRPD). The results reveal a widespread use of imported stones from the central-western territories of Veneto, primarily comprising trachyte from the Euganean Hills and the soft limestone Vicenza Stone from the Berici Hills/eastern Lessini Mounts. Rosso Ammonitico, Maiolica (Biancone) and Scaglia Rossa limestones are also documented. From neighbouring regions, the imported stone types include Aurisina limestone from the Trieste Karst and Istrian Stone. Sandstone was uniquely recognized in G. Popillius’s milestone. Moreover, advanced geochemical and mineralogical analyses performed on the Euganean trachytes allow tracking accurately the quarry sites, revealing an extensive exploitation of the main historical quarries of M. Oliveto, Monselice and M. Merlo, although some provenances from outcrops less systematically exploited were also detected. Notably, the use of rhyolite for manufacturing a pre-Roman gravestone provides new insights regarding the exploitation of Euganean stone resources before the Roman era.

A Multianalytical Approach to Identifying the White Marbles Used in Roman Imperial Sculptures from Tarraco (Hispania)

A selection of the most outstanding white marble sculptures from Tarraco has been archaeometrically studied to know more about the marble sources and their respective artistic workshops. All are imperial portraits of the 2nd century AD (Trajan, Hadrian, Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius) and a thoracata bust assigned to Hadrian, found on display at the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona (MNAT). The well-established multimethod approach, combining petrography, cathodoluminescence, C and O isotopes and Sr and Mn trace element composition, has revealed the use of different very fine- to fine-grained marbles of the highest quality exploited in classical times. In contrast to what was thought until now, in which all the pieces had been assigned to Luni-Carrara, this present study identifies the use of two varieties of the recently discovered site of Göktepe near Aphrodisias and Paros-lychnites marbles, being Carrara, in minority. This study confirms the importance of strontium concentration and the contribution of cathodoluminescence to distinguish Göktepe from Carrara marble, while carbon and oxygen isotopes were crucial for the identification of Cycladic marble. Finally, in line with recent published interdisciplinary studies, the marble provenance forces us to rethink the discourse on the use of marble, its sculptural workshops and its distribution in this temporal context.

Digital microclimate simulation models to support innovative management and preventive conservation processes in cultural sites

Among the least investigated aspects in historical architecture, one is the microclimatic behaviour linked to the preventive conservation of cultural heritage. This aspect should be studied intensively since it is closely related to any deterioration phenomenon of materials and can have a crucial role in updating management systems of cultural sites. Today the sensors that monitor environmental parameters can transfer data in real time into a continuous monitoring logic (cloud platforms) and this, in addition to the development of software capable of modelling the thermo-hygrometric behaviour of buildings, opens up new lines of research. The authors believe that it represents one of the most promising areas of investigation and capable of offering greater results in terms of preventive and planned measures. This contribution collects an experience recently conducted, financed by the Ministry of University and Research, in one of the most prestigious Italian museums, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN). The monitoring and modelling methodologies are illustrated, as well as the objectives of the intervention, with a view to a fruition that holds the psycho-physical well-being of staff and visitors and the conservation of heritage as close as possible. The results are closely linked to the pandemic experience, with the secondary objective of risk prevention for people and cultural heritage.

Il Museo della Magna Grecia. Dal progetto di Piacentini ai primi allestimenti del Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Reggio Calabria

The paper retraces the history of the exhibition designs of the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria (Italy), investigating the museographic and museological instances that inspired them, with a glimpse of the cultural context in which they flourished. The investigation period spans from the 1930s, when the architect Marcello Piacentini developed the original planning ideas for the building and the interior of the “first museum in Italy built for this purpose”, to the first exhibition presented to the public at the opening in 1958. The paper concludes with an analysis of the expansion of the museum sections in the 1960s with new criteria. Thanks to hitherto unpublished documents, the history of the museum and its protagonists has been reconstructed, revealing a spirit of collaboration between architects and archaeologists which provides an example of good museum practice and laid the basis for the subsequent development of this important institution in Southern Italy.