The emerald and gold necklace from Oplontis, Vesuvian Area, Naples, Italy

The present study refers to the characterization of an emerald and gold necklace, dating from the first century AD, found in Oplontis (Torre Annunziata, Naples, Italy), using non-destructive methodologies such as EPMA and microFTIR. Reference samples, from mines known to be active in the Roman Imper...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of archaeological science Vol. 33; no. 5; pp. 725 - 734
Main Authors:	Aurisicchio, Carlo, Corami, Alessia, Ehrman, Sylvana, Graziani, Giorgio, Cesaro, Stella Nunziante
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2006 Elsevier Science
Subjects:	Archaeological jewels Beryl Emerald Excavation and methods Gemmology Infrared spectroscopy Laboratory methods Methodology and general studies Microanalysis Oplontis Physical and chemical analysis Prehistory and protohistory Italy Europe Gemmology Infrared spectroscopy Beryl Emerald Oplontis Microanalysis Archaeological jewels Origin Jewel Necklace Study Gold Methodology Sample Comparison Egyptian Mine Technique Dating
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Summary:	The present study refers to the characterization of an emerald and gold necklace, dating from the first century AD, found in Oplontis (Torre Annunziata, Naples, Italy), using non-destructive methodologies such as EPMA and microFTIR. Reference samples, from mines known to be active in the Roman Imperial period, were collected and analyzed using the same techniques. Experimental data were also statistically treated in order to classify the emeralds' mines. The comparison of archaeological and reference data allowed to hypothesize, with high probability, an Egyptian origin for the Oplontis emeralds – even if the Habachtal mine cannot be definitively excluded.
ISSN:	0305-4403 1095-9238
DOI:	10.1016/j.jas.2005.10.011