Technical analysis on materials and characteristics of mortar-based compounds in Roman and Late antique Aquileia (Udine, Italy). A preliminary report of the results

In the present paper we report the preliminary results of an ongoing research focused on the investigation of Roman mortars and concretes employed in Aquileia from Roman to Early Medieval Age (II century BC – VI century AD). More than 250 samples have been collected from buildings spread all over of the town, with different chronologies of construction and different functions. Material characterization was achieved throughout a multi-analytical approach comprising optical microscopy (OM), X-Ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive microanalysis (SEM-EDS). Analytical data have been strictly crosschecked in relation with the chronology and purpose of the structure from which mortars have been collected from. The preliminary results we obtained are providing intriguing outcomes: we observed a high specialization on “recipes” in relation to the function of mortars and concretes, but also chronology of production appears to have an important role in the composition of mortar-based compounds. Such an extensive sampling is giving valuable insights to decipher the relations among crafts and artisans in ancient construction and decorative activities.