dh2015 gravitate-presentation

The Salamis Terracotta Statuesa multidisciplinary approach

DH CongressGranada

Sorin HermonVera Moitinho de Almeida

2nd October 2015

Copyright STARC-CYI and other members of the GRAVITATE consortium 20152

Ayia Irina, Cyprus

More than 2000 sculptures

(c. 8th - 7th BC)

The Salamis Terracotta Statuesa multidisciplinary approach

DH CongressGranada

Sorin HermonVera Moitinho de Almeida

2nd October 2015


Salamis (7th c. BC), Cyprus

site Toumba


Finds from Salamis – site Toumba


Archaeological Classification Chaîne operatoire Social recontextualization

Technological Re-Assemble, Re-Unify and Re-Associate the fragments Integrate semantic, digital and analytical approaches

Related outcomes Virtual repatriation, Virtual museums, Open access,

Integration in EU research infrastructures...

Aims



Karageorghis, V. (1993). The Coroplastic Art of Ancient Cyprus. III. The Cypro-Archaic Period Large and Medium Size Sculpture. A.G. Leventis Foundation.


Interdisciplinary non-invasive data acquisition and analysisMethod & Techniques

(Clay & Pigments)

Re-AssemblageRe-UnificationRe-Association


Digital MicroscopyUV imaging

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)VIS-Reflectance Spectroscopy

3D Scanning + Photography

Interdisciplinary non-invasive data acquisition and analysisMethod & Techniques


3D Digital Models


Visually finding similarities (example A)3D Digital Models


ID 1909 0310 127, British Museum (BM) ID C2267, Cyprus Museum (CyM1)

ID C2600, Cyprus Museum (CyM2)

Finding similarities (example B)3D Digital Models


BM – CyM2 BM – CyM1

CyM1 – CyM2

Finding similarities (example B)3D Digital Models


Incision layer overlapping the main body layer

C2412, front side

Manufacturing detailsMicro Analysis: Digital Microscopy


Vertical micro cracks

Superimposition of incisions

C2412, front side



Horizontal parallel marks

C2412, back sideCompression marks


Main body clay layer

Incision clay layer

horizontal incisionsshort oblique incisions

vertical incisionsoblique incisions




Visual analysis and characterization:

• Colour• Clay matrix• Shape and density

of inclusions, etc.

250 μm

250 μm

Manufacturing details: ClaysMacro/Micro Analysis: Digital Microscopy


Manufacturing details: ClaysMacro/Micro Analysis: Digital Microscopy

Group I Group II

Unsorted Group Igrey or brown-grey inclusions andfew smaller red inclusions.

Group Ired or brownish-red inclusions andfew smaller grey inclusions.

UnsortedC1070: small red, black and white inclusions.C2404: few red and black inclusions.

C2246: presence of foraminiferas (marine microfossils)


Surface layer of the statue (clay slip)

Main body of the statue

Manufacturing details: Prep/Painting LayersMacro/Micro Analysis: Digital Microscopy

ClaySlipPaint


Manufacturing details: Preparation LayerMacro/Micro Analysis: Digital Microscopy

3 Types of surface were detected:

White slip as a separate layerHigher Ca content => calcareous clay(C2255, 2235, 2246, C2404)

White surface layer as fired clay bodyThe same elemental composition, different colour, gradual transition between layers. No slip?(C2378, C114, C115, C2224, C2167)

No significant difference in colour between surface and clay. No slip?(D292, C113, C2412)

ClaySlip


Yellowish UV fluorescence could be related to the presence of fatty acids, constituents of oil binders (detected on C1070, C115, C114(?), C2378(?)).

Detection of contaminated and restored areas in order to exclude them from further analysis.

Visible light

Ultraviolet light

Manufacturing details: PaintingVIS – UV Imaging


Manufacturing details: Painting & PigmentsChemical/Elemental Analysis

Clay slip, preparation layer?

Iron red(hematite, red ochre)?

Manganese, Iron, Carbon black?

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

VIS-reflectance spectroscopy

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of

elementsmajor - Si, Al

minor - Fe, Ca, K, Titrace - Rb, Sr, Zr,

etc.


A new colour, previously unknown – Yellow – has been identified on the earrings’ decoration.

Manufacturing details: Painting & PigmentsDigital Microscopy + XRF


Manufacturing details: Painting & PigmentsChemical/Elemental Analysis

Unfired decoration (paint applied after firing).

Polychromy – red, yellow, black, white colours.

Paint applied either directly on clay or on preparation layer, slip .

One type of Red – Iron Red. Traces of Lead might serve for further pigment provenance study. Not possible to conclude on hematite or red ochre.

One type of Black – Manganese Black.

Yellow – Iron Yellow (Goethite, Yellow Ochre, Jarosite) possibly mixed with Arsenic Yellow (orpiment). Applied on earrings of two objects (C113 and C114).

Pink – mixture of Iron Red and white clay for flesh colours (cheeks, legs, feet, hand).

White – slip, calcareous clay (Kaolinite?).


Some 200 fragments have been 3D scanned and photographed.Available for geometric and imaging analysis.Archived in a digital repository.

Detailed geometric and chemical/elemental analysis has started on the Cyprus Museum fragments.It is expected to expand such analyses on the remaining items.

A rich characterisation of each fragment (manufacturing techniques) is currently under investigation.

Visual matching between fragments is currently performed.

Further bibliographical and archival research - ongoing.

Summary & Ongoing Work


Set of software toolsbased on Semantic and Geometric data matching,

that will helpArchaeologists & Museum Curators

to digitally Re-Assemble, Re-Unify and Re-Associatefragments of CH objects.

STARC-CyI’s ExpectationsGRAVITATE Project

GRACIAS THANKS!

dh2015 gravitate-presentation

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