Ancient Roman nano-technology: Insight into the manufacture of mosaic tesserae opacified by calcium antimonate

Druenert F, Palamara E, Zacharias N, Wondraczek L, Moncke D (2018)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2018

Journal

Journal of the European Ceramic Society Elsevier

Book Volume: 38

Pages Range: 4799-4805

Journal Issue: 14

DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2018.06.031

Abstract

Opaque mosaic glass tesserae containing calcium antimonates from Ancient Messene, Greece (1st–4th century CE) were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Both trigonal CaSb2O6 and cubic Ca2Sb2O7, with crystallite diameters below 1 μm, were identified as opacifying agents. To better understand ancient technologies, we prepared model glasses that were opacified by crystallisation via a secondary heat treatment, by direct crystallisation during the melting process, or by the addition of pre-reacted calcium antimonate to a base glass. We found that direct crystallisation replicated the antique glass artefacts most accurately. We demonstrated that 0.2 wt% of nucleating agents like TiO2 and SnO2 already exert significant influence on the crystallisation behaviour of calcium antimonates. Secondary scattering centres such as silica and carbonates contribute to the optical appearance. Concurrently, we reproduced opaque white glass ceramics in a reconstructed, wood-fired, Roman-type glass furnace built by Wiesenberg (2014).

Authors with CRIS profile

Lothar Wondraczek

Involved external institutions

Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena DE Germany (DE) University of Peloponnese GR Greece (GR) National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF) / Εθνικό Ίδρυμα Ερευνών GR Greece (GR)

How to cite

APA:

Druenert, F., Palamara, E., Zacharias, N., Wondraczek, L., & Moncke, D. (2018). Ancient Roman nano-technology: Insight into the manufacture of mosaic tesserae opacified by calcium antimonate. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 38(14), 4799-4805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2018.06.031

MLA:

Druenert, Ferdinand, et al. "Ancient Roman nano-technology: Insight into the manufacture of mosaic tesserae opacified by calcium antimonate." Journal of the European Ceramic Society 38.14 (2018): 4799-4805.

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