Circolazione di maestranze e saperi costruttivi nel mediterraneo antico. Il caso dei rivestimenti in malta delle cisterne punico-romane di Nora

In this research, we have analysed the coating mortars of 11 Punic-Roman cisterns of the site of Nora, in Sardinia. In most cases, the multi-layered render sequences testimoniate several restoration activities and the prolonged use of the tanks. The aim of this study is to recognize the “coating phases”, in order to comprehend if mortar recipes vary in time, in particular after Sardinia became a Roman province (227 BC). In order to accomplish this target, 29 mortar samples were collected from wall and floor coatings and fully analysed throughout petrographic, mineralogical, microstructural and microchemical analyses. Comparing the results with data reported in literature, it has been possible to identify e distinguish mortar types that closely follow Punic tradition from those evidencing Roman practices.