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A Micro-Analytical Study of the Scarabs of the Necropolis of Vinha das Caliças (Portugal)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2019

Mafalda Costa ,
Ana Margarida Arruda ,
Rui Barbosa ,
Pedro Barrulas ,
Peter Vandenabeele  and
José Mirão
Mafalda Costa
Affiliation:
Archaeometry Research Group, Department of Archaeology, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Largo Marquês de Marialva 8, 7000-809 Évora, Portugal
Ana Margarida Arruda
Affiliation:
UNIARQ – Archaeological Center of the University of Lisbon, Faculdade de Letras, Alameda da Universidade, 1600-214 Lisboa, Portugal
Rui Barbosa
Affiliation:
Arqueohoje, Rua da Escola, Lote 9, Loja 2, Santa Eulália, 3500-682 Viseu, Portugal
Pedro Barrulas
Affiliation:
HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Largo Marquês de Marialva 8, 7000-809 Évora, Portugal
Peter Vandenabeele
Affiliation:
Archaeometry Research Group, Department of Archaeology, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
José Mirão*
Affiliation:
HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Largo Marquês de Marialva 8, 7000-809 Évora, Portugal Geosciences Department, School of Sciences and Technology, University of Évora, Colégio Luís António Verney, Rua Romão Ramalho, 59, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
*
*Author for correspondence: José Mirão, jmirao@uevora.pt
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Abstract

Five scarabs and one scaraboid found in Vinha das Caliças 4 (Beja, Portugal) were analyzed using a micro-analytical methodology in order to determine their mineralogical and chemical composition. Microstructural characterization and chemical analysis revealed that all were composed of a white body of crushed feldspathic sand covered by a lead-rich, alkaline-depleted silicate blue-green glaze showing evident signs of glass deterioration. Variable pressure scanning electron microscopy with X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry, handheld X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and micro X-ray diffraction results show that blue-green color of the glaze was produced by using copper ions (Cu2+) in conjunction with the lead antimonate bindheimite, a yellow-colored opacifier. The introduction of small amounts of tin in the structure of bindheimite enabled the production of a ternary Pb–Sb–Sn oxide. Tin, which was most likely added with the copper source (bronze scrapings), is known to facilitate the crystallization of bindheimite. The results are consistent with the five scarabs and one scaraboid being manufactured in Egypt. This study, the first archeometric study of scarabs found in the Iberian peninsula, has greatly contributed to the understanding of the influence of the Eastern and Central Mediterranean world in the Southwestern Iberia during the first millennium B.C.

Keywords

iron agescarabsternary Pb–Sb–Sn oxidesVP-SEM-EDSμ-XRD
Type
Material Sciences
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 25 , Issue 1 , February 2019 , pp. 214 - 220
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2019 

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