Di Turo Francesca, Moro Giulia, Artesani Alessia, Albertin Fauzia, Bettuzzi Matteo, Cristofori Davide, Moretto Ligia Maria, Traviglia Arianna
Center for Cultural Heritage Technology (CCHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 30175, Venice, Italy.
Department of Molecular Science and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, 30172, Venice, Italy.
Sci Rep. 2021 May 27;11(1):11187. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90541-8.
This paper describes the analysis of two near-spherical metallic inclusions partially incorporated within two Roman raw glass slags in order to elucidate the process that induced their formation and to determine whether their presence was related to ancient glass colouring processes. The theory of metallic scraps or powder being used in Roman times for glass-making and colouring purposes is widely accepted by the archaeological scientific community, although the assumption has been mainly based on oral traditions and documented medieval practices of glass processing. The analysis of the two inclusions, carried out by X-ray computed tomography, electrochemical analyses, and scanning electron microscopy, revealed their material composition, corrosion and internal structure. Results indicate that the two metallic bodies originated when, during the melting phase of glass, metal scraps were added to colour the material: the colloidal metal-glass system reached then a supersaturation condition and the latter ultimately induced metal expulsion and agglomeration. According to the authors' knowledge, these two inclusions represent the first documented and studied finds directly associated with the ancient practise of adding metallic agents to colour glass, and their analysis provides clear insights into the use of metallic waste in the glass colouring process.
本文描述了对部分嵌入两块罗马原生玻璃渣中的两个近似球形金属夹杂物的分析，目的是阐明导致其形成的过程，并确定它们的存在是否与古代玻璃着色工艺有关。金属碎屑或粉末在罗马时期用于玻璃制造和着色目的的理论已被考古科学界广泛接受，尽管这一假设主要基于口头传统和有记录的中世纪玻璃加工实践。通过X射线计算机断层扫描、电化学分析和扫描电子显微镜对这两个夹杂物进行的分析，揭示了它们的材料成分、腐蚀情况和内部结构。结果表明，这两个金属体起源于玻璃熔化阶段添加金属碎屑以使材料着色之时：胶体金属-玻璃系统随后达到过饱和状态，最终导致金属排出并团聚。据作者所知，这两个夹杂物是首次有记录和研究的、与古代添加金属剂使玻璃着色实践直接相关的发现，对它们的分析为玻璃着色过程中金属废料的使用提供了清晰的见解。
