Articles by Massimo Oddone

Results of the archaeometric study of Spanish amphoras in Veneto are presented. For this purpose 26 amphoras from the Tomba di Giulietta in Verona were chosen (types close to Dr 7 and Dr 8). The scope of the analytical study was to determine similarities between clays and thus between the amphoras themselves. To conduct petrographic analysis, groups were set-up of Spanish amphoras of both types without determining relationships between various forms and clay bodies. North Italic amphoras were also considered for comparison. The most useful methods of statistical analysis of data of diffractometric analysis are “ipercubo” and Discriminant Analysis. Fuzzy and mixture methods were also used. Applying these methods, samples were compared in order to form groups of similar samples. Instrumental neutron activation analysis was carried out to determine trace elements and the results were processed with Discriminant Analysis. These results enabled us to make clear distinctions between various groups. Studies of these amphora forms are now under way.

During the last few years we have witnessed the development of research on trade amphorae, in particular with the help of archaeometric techniques and quantitative processing of analytical data. In this context we can quote the research project carried out by the authors, which focuses on the amphorae of Spanish origin found in Venetia. The study is articulated in two main parts: the first one concerns morphometric analysis of the amphorae by means of their photogrammetric restitution and the comparison between the diverse forms using geometric indexes calculated on the coordinates of the points measured on outline of the vase. The second one concerns the characterisation of the amphorae by means of the chemical-mineralogical analysis of the paste, with the aim of reconstructing their exact provenance. The historical-archaeological purpose of the project, the first results of which concern the amphorae from the Tomba di Giulietta in Verona, is the assessment of trade exchanges between Venetia and Betica.