ARCHAEOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION, APPENDIX OF LACHIN M.T. “VITREOUS MOSAIC FROM TYANA (CAPPADOCIA)”

The present paper reports the results of the chemico-mineralogical analyses [i.e., optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron microprobe (EMPA) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD)], carried out on a representative set of loose tesserae from Tyana (Cappadocia, Turkey), chosen among the identified chromatic groups, in order to characterize glass matrix and colourant and opacifying agents. The archaeometric study of the Tyana loose tesserae allowed us to obtain a detailed characterization of materials and production technology, also useful for the definition of chronological context of mosaic, and to identify distinctive characteristics for any chromatic groups. In particular, due to the presence of different glass matrix types (i.e., soda-lime, soda-lime-lead and leaded glass), their extraordinary variety of colours, refined use of opacifying agents, extensive use of metal coatings (gilding), the Tyana glass tesserae demonstrate a high technological know-how and the use of various raw materials, from local sources too.