Roman and Late Antique Ceramic Oil Lamps in the Museum of Ancient Cultures

171 Pages·2015·11.42 MB·English

by  Keira De Rosa

R L A C O L
OMAN AND ATE NTIQUE ERAMIC IL AMPS IN THE
M A C :
USEUM OF NCIENT ULTURES
A T C A
YPOLOGICAL AND OMPOSITIONAL NALYSIS

Keira De Rosa, BA (Macquarie University)

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Research
Department of Ancient History, Faculty of Arts
Macquarie University, Sydney
10th October 2014

DECLARATION

I, Keira De Rosa, certify that this thesis has not been submitted for a higher degree to any other
university or institution.

Date: 10/10/2014

ABSTRACT

This thesis will analyse the typology and composition of twenty-four unpublished Roman and
Late Antique ceramic oil lamps from the Museum of Ancient Cultures, Macquarie University, Sydney,
Australia. A typological examination is used to place each lamp into relevant provincial groups and
chronological periods, accompanied with archaeological drawings. A new non-destructive analysis
technique will be employed, Duel Energy Computed Tomography (DECT), to determine the
mineralogical and chemical characteristics of each lamp. General mineralogical characteristics are
examined through the analysis of CT images, determining consistency of clay bodies, presence of
inclusions and evidence of damage and reconstruction. In addition, the CT data acquired is transformed
into 3D virtual models. These models are analysed for evidence of manufacturing techniques evident
on internal and external surfaces. Chemical compositional analysis is undertaken using Gemstone
Spectral Imaging (GSI), with cluster analysis applied to determine groupings amongst the lamps. These
new non-destructive methods of analysis are then compared and contrasted with the initial typological
examination, to determine the validity and advantages of adopting these new techniques for the study
ancient ceramic lamps. This study will suggest future recommendations for the utilisation of DECT for
research in archaeology and conservation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost I would like to thank my supervisors: Associate Professor Tom Hillard, from
the very first lecture in my undergraduate year, I have been amazed and inspired by your passion for all
things Roman; Dr Jaye McKenzie-Clark, for offering me so many opportunities and invaluable
experiences over the past eighteen months, from 3D scanning ancient artefacts from the Museum of
Ancient Cultures, to travelling to the ancient Roman town of Carsulae, in Umbria Italy for archaeological
excavation. Despite a rocky start to the year with a change in focus for this thesis, there was never a
doubt that this study would come to fruition.
To Karl Van Dyke, Director of the Museum of Ancient Cultures, for allowing me unlimited access
to the twenty-four lamps under study, copious amounts of tea and enlightening conversation. To
Professor John Magnussen for DECT scanning the lamps, his expert radiographic knowledge and the
opportunity to work alongside him in exploring 3D modelling capabilities. Also to Macquarie Medical
Imaging for allowing the generous use of the CT workstation.
My special thanks to Christopher Haddad for his transliteration and translation of the potters’
stamps in the Catalogue of lamps. Also to the Carsulae crew, Samantha Jones, Rodney Cross and Sean
Commons for the countless late night messages and affirmation that we would all get through this year
together.
To my Mum, Judy De Rosa, for always believing in my abilities. Most of all to my wonderful
partner Slavomir Kucharski, for his continual love, support and patience throughout this entire year.

CONTENTS

DECLARATION ................................................................................................................................. ii
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................................... iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................. vi
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES ...................................................................................................... x
Chapter 1: Introduction...................................................................................................................... 1
A Brief Survey of the Development and Use of Ceramic Lamps ................................................. 1
Thesis Outline .................................................................................................................................. 4
Thesis Structure .............................................................................................................................. 4
A History of Research into Roman and Late Antique Lamps ....................................................... 6
Art-history to Typologies ......................................................................................................... 7
Production and Technology .................................................................................................... 9
Archaeometry, trade and economics ................................................................................... 13
Summary........................................................................................................................................ 16
Chapter 2: Catalogue of Lamps ....................................................................................................... 19
Provincial Groups .......................................................................................................................... 70
Chapter 3: Techniques of Manufacture .......................................................................................... 71
Radiographic methods of ceramic analysis ................................................................................. 71
Capturing CT images ..................................................................................................................... 73
CT image interpretation ............................................................................................................... 76
Italy.......................................................................................................................................... 76
The Levant .............................................................................................................................. 78
Tunisia ..................................................................................................................................... 80
Egypt ....................................................................................................................................... 82
Cyprus ..................................................................................................................................... 84
Unplaced Greek East.............................................................................................................. 84
Evaluation of CT images ............................................................................................................... 84
3D Modelling ................................................................................................................................. 86
CT for the creation of 3D models ................................................................................................ 87
Techniques of manufacture investigated through 3D models ........................................... 89
Summary ................................................................................................................................ 92
Chapter 4: Compositional Analysis.................................................................................................. 95
Method .......................................................................................................................................... 95
Results ........................................................................................................................................... 97
Discussion .................................................................................................................................... 101
Chapter 5: Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 105
Bibliography .................................................................................................................................... 107
Appendix A: CT Images ................................................................................................................... 115
Italy ....................................................................................................................................... 115
The Levant ............................................................................................................................ 123
Tunisia ................................................................................................................................... 129
Egypt ..................................................................................................................................... 136
Cyprus ................................................................................................................................... 137
Unplaced Greek East ........................................................................................................... 138
Appendix B: 3D Models .................................................................................................................. 139
Appendix C: Outlier Scatterplots ................................................................................................... 147