Articles by Franco Pianetti

In this paper the authors have analyzed a fragmentary amphora found in the Venetian lagoon at Chiese Bruciate, which has analogies with another amphora from the lagoon which was found in the Rigà Canal. By comparing the amphorae on a typological basis it was found that they represent one of the least common shapes among the amphorae produced in the eastern Mediterranean which are known as the Late Roman type. Both of the amphorae discovered in the lagoon seem to have been imported from Asia Minor or the Aegean area of the Mediterranean during the Late Antique or Byzantine era. The amphora from Chiese Bruciate was attributed to the Late Roman 2 group and in particular to the Dyczek 25 type. As has been done in other study cases, along with the typological analysis a geometric shape study - i.e., a morphometric analysis of the amphorae made by comparing the different forms using geometric indexes calculated on the coordinates of the points measured on the outline of the vase - have also been conducted. Two known statistical indices were used: the coefficient r of Bravais Pearson and the similarity ratio k. For the analysis of the analogies between the shape of the amphora from Chiese Bruciate (SB) and the other amphorae open source R software was used.

The aim of this article is the archaeological and analytical study of Iberian amphorae imported into Veneto (Italy) during the Roman period. The characteristic Baetican shapes Dr 8, Dr 11, Dr 12, fragmentary Dr 7-11 and Pompei VII are compared to the Dr 9-10 shapes of uncertain origin (Baetic or Gallic). The determination by X Ray Diffractometry (XRD) of chemicals Si, Al, Fe, Mg, Ti, Mn, Ca, Na and K and of minerals shows the similarity of the pastes of two groups of amphorae. Using appropriate statistical methods, these data are compared to those of Andalusian and Lionese manufactures.

This article discusses a research project about the imported and local amphorae found in the Veneto region. The study is specifically based on fragments of Spanish amphorae found in the Venetian lagoon. Several samples could be clearly identified as fragments of the forms coming from the Baetica region (e.g., Dr 8, Dr 38, Dr 7/11, Dr 20 and Dr 20-23); other samples of very limited number could also be reliably identified. In order to attempt a broad identification we have studied the composition of the pastes of a small number of fragments by means of mineralogical and petrographic analyses. Additionally image processing techniques were also used: in particular, a classification procedure has been designed that will perform morphologic, chromatic, radiometric and spectral analyses on the images of thin sections of the amphorae, taken by a polarising microscope. The procedure could be completed by analysing a larger number of samples, that will allow to establish the decision thresholds used in the classification process; the procedure will facilitate the fusion of data and information obtained with different destructive and non destructive tests of the samples, so that it could constitute a useful tool for the archaeological research.

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.