Amphora bead findings11/29/2023 The modern physico-chemical investigation of ancient artifacts allows advanced material characterization, which is necessary for historians to certify important aspects regarding the past. The correlation of all experimental results concludes with no doubt that Amphora 2 contained olive oil and Amphorae 1 and 3 contained wine in ancient times. Tartaric and malic acid were identified by HPLC in Samples 1 and 3, which are wine biomarkers. GC–MS investigation showed volatile compounds related to wine residue for Samples 1 and 3 and decomposed fats for Sample 2. EDS elemental analysis was used for organic particle identification in the amphora sediments and to obtain a correlation with their microstructure. FTIR investigation confirms organic phase presence owing to strong absorption bands regarding C-H, C=O, and O-H chemical bonds related to aliphatic compounds in Sample 2, and to some decayed wine residue in Samples 1 and 3. Sample 2 presented a large amount of amorphous phase followed by Samples 1 and 3, with a low amount of organic phase. Quartz and calcite particles have a rounded shape and diameters in a range of 20–200 µm, and clay particles have a lamellar shape and dimensions from 1 to 20 µm, a fact confirmed by SEM microscopy. XRD investigation combined with cross-polarized light microscopy demonstrated mineral particles such as quartz, clay (muscovite and traces of biotite), and calcite. Sediment was collected from each fragment and subjected to complex analysis. The current research is focused on the most representative large amphora fragments found in the Potaissa deposit, with a significant amount of sediment on their walls, to give archeologists the material proof to elucidate their debate. Archeological debate states that the deposit contained olive oil and wine amphorae, but no material evidence has been presented until now. Methods for material investigation are powerful tools that allow specialists to elucidate important aspects regarding ancient artifacts such as the Roman amphorae deposits discovered at Potaissa Fortress in Turda, Romania.
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