Celestino Grifa
Biographic Data
| ID | 218704 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Celestino Grifa |
| GIVEN NAMES | Celestino |
| FAMILY NAME | Grifa |
| SIGNATURE | GRIFA C |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Sannio |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-4723-8158 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 23 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 133 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 23 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2009 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 6 |
Investigating Technology and Raw Materials Source of the Archaic and Classical Architectural Terracottas From the Athenaion in Castro (Apulia, Italy)
Since 2000, archaeological excavations have brought to light the sanctuary of Athena in Castro (Apulia, Italy), including terracotta roofs dated between the 6th and 4th centuries bce . Based on their morphological and stylistic features, it is suggested that the terracotta items were manufactured in the Greek colony of Taras (modern Taranto); conversely, several fragments cannot yet be confidently attributed to any specific production site. To sh…
Pompeian pigments. A glimpse into ancient Roman colouring materials
Advances in archaeological science during Covid-19 pandemic
Nile River clayey materials in Sudan: Chemical and isotope analysis as reference data for ancient pottery provenance studies
Archaeometric Characterisation and Assessment of Conservation State of Coins: The Case-Study of a Selection of Antoniniani from the Hoard of Cumae (Campania Region, Southern Italy)
The paper presents the first archaeometric results on a selection of ancient Roman coins (antoniniani) from a treasure found in the Roman necropolis area of ancient Cumae (Southern Italy) during archaeological campaigns by the Centre Jean Bérard. A multi-analytical approach consisting of non-destructive techniques (stereomicroscopy, FESEM-EDS, pXRF, Raman, μ-CT) was implemented on the better-preserved coins of the treasure in order to investigate…
Characterization of archaeological lime mortars in a Ming dynasty tomb: A multi‐analytical approach
Lime mortars have played an important role in constructing ancient Chinese masonry structures, including city walls, buildings, and tombs. A tomb built with lime mortars and stones belonging a Ming high‐ranking official, Xu Jie, was discovered in Huzhou City of China. Eight different samples from Xu Jie’s tomb, representing four types of lime‐mortar‐based materials: joint mortar between stone bricks, bedding mortar, grouting mortar, and plaster m…
The Mediterranean trading centre of Vivara (southern Italy): New insights on the production and circulation of pottery during the Bronze Age (16th – 15th century BCE)
Roman technological expertise in the construction of perpetual buildings: New insights into the wall paintings of a banquet scene from a tomb in Cumae (southern Italy)
Ceramic building materials from the ancient Témesa (Calabria region, Italy): Raw materials procurement, mix-design and firing processes from the Hellenistic to Roman period
Production technology of late Roman decorated tableware from the Vesuvius environs: Evidence from Pollena Trocchia (Campania region, Italy)
The northern slope of Mt. Vesuvius contains some interesting archaeological sites, including the site discovered in the town of Pollena Trocchia , where the remains, dated to between the 79 and 472 CE eruptions, document the transition from the Roman to late Roman cultural and socioeconomic settings. Profound changes occurred in this time interval, which can be inferred from changes in the ceramic manufacturing processes. Common wares, as the mos…
A pottery workshop in Pompeii unveils new insights on the Roman ceramics crafting tradition and raw materials trade
Characterization of ancient building lime mortars of Anhui province, China: A multi‐analytical approach
The characterization of lime mortars has become of primary importance in order to obtain information about the raw ingredients and building technology of ancient masonry structures. Five different samples from Anhui province, China, representing two types of lime mortar‐based materials: joint mortars between the bricks of the city wall and lime mortar sealing a tomb coffin, were collected for analysis. Archaeological information about the samples…
Comparing ceramic technologies: The production of Terra Sigillata in Puteoli and in the Bay of Naples
Local production and imitations of Late Roman pottery from a well in the Roman necropolis of Cuma in Naples, Italy
Archaeological excavations performed in a funerary complex in Cuma (Campania region, Italy) unearthed excellently preserved common wares dated to the third century A.D. Archaeometric analyses were focused on Campanian pitchers, Aegean‐like cooking pots, and pyriform pitchers, the latter recorded for the first time in an Italian context. The local pitchers were manufactured with a high‐CaO clay (CaO = ca. 12 wt.%) and local volcanic temper, fired …
Sr-Nd isotopic fingerprinting as a tool for ceramic provenance: Its application on raw materials, ceramic replicas and ancient pottery
Multi‐analytical Studies of Archaeological Chinese Earthen Plasters: The Inner Wall of the Longhu Hall (Yuzhen Palace, Ancient Building Complex, Wudang Mountains, China)
The Yuzhen Palace is one of the nine palaces in the Ancient Building Complex built by order of the Yongle Emperor during the Ming dynasty. The buildings were built with dressed black bricks. As a result of the planned national South–North Water Diversion project, the water level in the Danjiangkou Reservoir that surrounds the Yuzhen Palace was expected to rise by approximately 15 m. To avoid submersion of the site, three gates were elevated by 15…
Distinctive Volcanic Material for the Production of Campana A Ware: The Workshop Area of Neapolis at the Duomo Metro Station in Naples, Italy
Recent transportation infrastructure works in Naples, Italy, provided important discoveries related to the production of pottery in the Hellenistic workshop area of Piazza Nicola Amore. A minero‐petrographic investigation was conducted on 35 samples belonging to the widespread Campana A ware and production indicators (clayey raw materials, unfired Graeco‐Italic amphorae, kiln wastes, workshop tools). Additional analysis was conducted on black‐gla…
Raw Materials for Archaeological Pottery from the Campania Region of Italy: A Petrophysical Characterization
We performed petrophysical analyses on 34 clayey samples of different geological origin within the Campania region of Italy in order to determine possible sources of raw materials used to produce ancient pottery. Possible raw material sources can be grouped into high‐CaO clays (HCC) and low‐CaO clays (LCC). HCC are mainly represented by more recent (Miocene‐Pleistocene) basinal sediments whereas LCC tend to be associated with basinal, alluvial, a…
Minero‐petrographic Study of Cooking Ware and Pompeian Red Ware ( Rosso Pompeiano ) From Cuma (Southern Italy)
Excavations carried out in Cuma by the Centre Jean Bérard archaeologists have uncovered a large quantity of pottery. This study is focused on cooking ware and on internal red‐slip cookware, also known as Pompeian Red Ware ( Rosso Pompeiano ), dated from the first century bc to the first century ad . A comparison with the minero‐petrographic composition of beach sands collected along the Bay of Naples coastline highlights the provenance of the tem…
A Late Roman ceramic production from Pompeii
Iberian Ceramic Production From Basti (Baza, Spain): First Geochemical, Mineralogical and Textural Characterization
Ceramic fragments from the archaeological excavation of the Iberian–Roman city of Basti (Spain) were studied from a geochemical point of view and by applying a statistical tool to X‐ray fluorescence data to discover similarities between ceramic materials. The analysis of these samples was completed by performing a mineralogical analysis, textural observation, and by characterizing the porous system and the colour of the pieces. Our results enable…
Ceramiche tardo antiche da Pompei
I risultati di scavi recenti mostrano la relativa vitalità dell’area vesuviana dopo la disastrosa eruzione del 79 d.C. In particolare, i materiali ceramici provenienti dallo scavo di via Lepanto possono offrire una esemplificazione dei prodotti circolanti in quest’area tra lo scorcio del IV e gli inizi del V secolo. Essi provengono da una serie di scarichi che almeno in un’area dello scavo risultavano sigillati da un piano di battuto a sua volta …
Byzantine Ceramic Production From Cuma (Campi Flegrei, Napoli)
Samples of table and cooking ware, dating back to the Byzantine period of the ancient Greek colony of Cuma, were analysed by optical microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, in order to reconstruct the main technological properties of these manufactures. The comparison of minero‐petrographical data from these samples with those of some kiln wastes allowed us to hypothesize a local manufacture for most of…
A Late Roman ceramic production from Pompeii
Sr-Nd isotopic fingerprinting as a tool for ceramic provenance: Its application on raw materials, ceramic replicas and ancient pottery
Raw Materials for Archaeological Pottery from the Campania Region of Italy: A Petrophysical Characterization
We performed petrophysical analyses on 34 clayey samples of different geological origin within the Campania region of Italy in order to determine possible sources of raw materials used to produce ancient pottery. Possible raw material sources can be grouped into high‐CaO clays (HCC) and low‐CaO clays (LCC). HCC are mainly represented by more recent (Miocene‐Pleistocene) basinal sediments whereas LCC tend to be associated with basinal, alluvial, a…
Distinctive Volcanic Material for the Production of Campana A Ware: The Workshop Area of Neapolis at the Duomo Metro Station in Naples, Italy
Recent transportation infrastructure works in Naples, Italy, provided important discoveries related to the production of pottery in the Hellenistic workshop area of Piazza Nicola Amore. A minero‐petrographic investigation was conducted on 35 samples belonging to the widespread Campana A ware and production indicators (clayey raw materials, unfired Graeco‐Italic amphorae, kiln wastes, workshop tools). Additional analysis was conducted on black‐gla…
Local production and imitations of Late Roman pottery from a well in the Roman necropolis of Cuma in Naples, Italy
Archaeological excavations performed in a funerary complex in Cuma (Campania region, Italy) unearthed excellently preserved common wares dated to the third century A.D. Archaeometric analyses were focused on Campanian pitchers, Aegean‐like cooking pots, and pyriform pitchers, the latter recorded for the first time in an Italian context. The local pitchers were manufactured with a high‐CaO clay (CaO = ca. 12 wt.%) and local volcanic temper, fired …
A pottery workshop in Pompeii unveils new insights on the Roman ceramics crafting tradition and raw materials trade
Comparing ceramic technologies: The production of Terra Sigillata in Puteoli and in the Bay of Naples
Minero‐petrographic Study of Cooking Ware and Pompeian Red Ware ( Rosso Pompeiano ) From Cuma (Southern Italy)
Excavations carried out in Cuma by the Centre Jean Bérard archaeologists have uncovered a large quantity of pottery. This study is focused on cooking ware and on internal red‐slip cookware, also known as Pompeian Red Ware ( Rosso Pompeiano ), dated from the first century bc to the first century ad . A comparison with the minero‐petrographic composition of beach sands collected along the Bay of Naples coastline highlights the provenance of the tem…
Byzantine Ceramic Production From Cuma (Campi Flegrei, Napoli)
Samples of table and cooking ware, dating back to the Byzantine period of the ancient Greek colony of Cuma, were analysed by optical microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, in order to reconstruct the main technological properties of these manufactures. The comparison of minero‐petrographical data from these samples with those of some kiln wastes allowed us to hypothesize a local manufacture for most of…
Production technology of late Roman decorated tableware from the Vesuvius environs: Evidence from Pollena Trocchia (Campania region, Italy)
The northern slope of Mt. Vesuvius contains some interesting archaeological sites, including the site discovered in the town of Pollena Trocchia , where the remains, dated to between the 79 and 472 CE eruptions, document the transition from the Roman to late Roman cultural and socioeconomic settings. Profound changes occurred in this time interval, which can be inferred from changes in the ceramic manufacturing processes. Common wares, as the mos…
Multi‐analytical Studies of Archaeological Chinese Earthen Plasters: The Inner Wall of the Longhu Hall (Yuzhen Palace, Ancient Building Complex, Wudang Mountains, China)
The Yuzhen Palace is one of the nine palaces in the Ancient Building Complex built by order of the Yongle Emperor during the Ming dynasty. The buildings were built with dressed black bricks. As a result of the planned national South–North Water Diversion project, the water level in the Danjiangkou Reservoir that surrounds the Yuzhen Palace was expected to rise by approximately 15 m. To avoid submersion of the site, three gates were elevated by 15…
Characterization of ancient building lime mortars of Anhui province, China: A multi‐analytical approach
The characterization of lime mortars has become of primary importance in order to obtain information about the raw ingredients and building technology of ancient masonry structures. Five different samples from Anhui province, China, representing two types of lime mortar‐based materials: joint mortars between the bricks of the city wall and lime mortar sealing a tomb coffin, were collected for analysis. Archaeological information about the samples…
Iberian Ceramic Production From Basti (Baza, Spain): First Geochemical, Mineralogical and Textural Characterization
Ceramic fragments from the archaeological excavation of the Iberian–Roman city of Basti (Spain) were studied from a geochemical point of view and by applying a statistical tool to X‐ray fluorescence data to discover similarities between ceramic materials. The analysis of these samples was completed by performing a mineralogical analysis, textural observation, and by characterizing the porous system and the colour of the pieces. Our results enable…
Pompeian pigments. A glimpse into ancient Roman colouring materials
Characterization of archaeological lime mortars in a Ming dynasty tomb: A multi‐analytical approach
Lime mortars have played an important role in constructing ancient Chinese masonry structures, including city walls, buildings, and tombs. A tomb built with lime mortars and stones belonging a Ming high‐ranking official, Xu Jie, was discovered in Huzhou City of China. Eight different samples from Xu Jie’s tomb, representing four types of lime‐mortar‐based materials: joint mortar between stone bricks, bedding mortar, grouting mortar, and plaster m…
Roman technological expertise in the construction of perpetual buildings: New insights into the wall paintings of a banquet scene from a tomb in Cumae (southern Italy)
Ceramic building materials from the ancient Témesa (Calabria region, Italy): Raw materials procurement, mix-design and firing processes from the Hellenistic to Roman period
Archaeometric Characterisation and Assessment of Conservation State of Coins: The Case-Study of a Selection of Antoniniani from the Hoard of Cumae (Campania Region, Southern Italy)
The paper presents the first archaeometric results on a selection of ancient Roman coins (antoniniani) from a treasure found in the Roman necropolis area of ancient Cumae (Southern Italy) during archaeological campaigns by the Centre Jean Bérard. A multi-analytical approach consisting of non-destructive techniques (stereomicroscopy, FESEM-EDS, pXRF, Raman, μ-CT) was implemented on the better-preserved coins of the treasure in order to investigate…
The Mediterranean trading centre of Vivara (southern Italy): New insights on the production and circulation of pottery during the Bronze Age (16th – 15th century BCE)
Ceramiche tardo antiche da Pompei
I risultati di scavi recenti mostrano la relativa vitalità dell’area vesuviana dopo la disastrosa eruzione del 79 d.C. In particolare, i materiali ceramici provenienti dallo scavo di via Lepanto possono offrire una esemplificazione dei prodotti circolanti in quest’area tra lo scorcio del IV e gli inizi del V secolo. Essi provengono da una serie di scarichi che almeno in un’area dello scavo risultavano sigillati da un piano di battuto a sua volta …
Byzantine Ceramic Production From Cuma (Campi Flegrei, Napoli)
Samples of table and cooking ware, dating back to the Byzantine period of the ancient Greek colony of Cuma, were analysed by optical microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, in order to reconstruct the main technological properties of these manufactures. The comparison of minero‐petrographical data from these samples with those of some kiln wastes allowed us to hypothesize a local manufacture for most of…
Iberian Ceramic Production From Basti (Baza, Spain): First Geochemical, Mineralogical and Textural Characterization
Ceramic fragments from the archaeological excavation of the Iberian–Roman city of Basti (Spain) were studied from a geochemical point of view and by applying a statistical tool to X‐ray fluorescence data to discover similarities between ceramic materials. The analysis of these samples was completed by performing a mineralogical analysis, textural observation, and by characterizing the porous system and the colour of the pieces. Our results enable…
A Late Roman ceramic production from Pompeii
Raw Materials for Archaeological Pottery from the Campania Region of Italy: A Petrophysical Characterization
We performed petrophysical analyses on 34 clayey samples of different geological origin within the Campania region of Italy in order to determine possible sources of raw materials used to produce ancient pottery. Possible raw material sources can be grouped into high‐CaO clays (HCC) and low‐CaO clays (LCC). HCC are mainly represented by more recent (Miocene‐Pleistocene) basinal sediments whereas LCC tend to be associated with basinal, alluvial, a…
Minero‐petrographic Study of Cooking Ware and Pompeian Red Ware ( Rosso Pompeiano ) From Cuma (Southern Italy)
Excavations carried out in Cuma by the Centre Jean Bérard archaeologists have uncovered a large quantity of pottery. This study is focused on cooking ware and on internal red‐slip cookware, also known as Pompeian Red Ware ( Rosso Pompeiano ), dated from the first century bc to the first century ad . A comparison with the minero‐petrographic composition of beach sands collected along the Bay of Naples coastline highlights the provenance of the tem…
Distinctive Volcanic Material for the Production of Campana A Ware: The Workshop Area of Neapolis at the Duomo Metro Station in Naples, Italy
Recent transportation infrastructure works in Naples, Italy, provided important discoveries related to the production of pottery in the Hellenistic workshop area of Piazza Nicola Amore. A minero‐petrographic investigation was conducted on 35 samples belonging to the widespread Campana A ware and production indicators (clayey raw materials, unfired Graeco‐Italic amphorae, kiln wastes, workshop tools). Additional analysis was conducted on black‐gla…
Comparing ceramic technologies: The production of Terra Sigillata in Puteoli and in the Bay of Naples
Local production and imitations of Late Roman pottery from a well in the Roman necropolis of Cuma in Naples, Italy
Archaeological excavations performed in a funerary complex in Cuma (Campania region, Italy) unearthed excellently preserved common wares dated to the third century A.D. Archaeometric analyses were focused on Campanian pitchers, Aegean‐like cooking pots, and pyriform pitchers, the latter recorded for the first time in an Italian context. The local pitchers were manufactured with a high‐CaO clay (CaO = ca. 12 wt.%) and local volcanic temper, fired …
Sr-Nd isotopic fingerprinting as a tool for ceramic provenance: Its application on raw materials, ceramic replicas and ancient pottery
Multi‐analytical Studies of Archaeological Chinese Earthen Plasters: The Inner Wall of the Longhu Hall (Yuzhen Palace, Ancient Building Complex, Wudang Mountains, China)
The Yuzhen Palace is one of the nine palaces in the Ancient Building Complex built by order of the Yongle Emperor during the Ming dynasty. The buildings were built with dressed black bricks. As a result of the planned national South–North Water Diversion project, the water level in the Danjiangkou Reservoir that surrounds the Yuzhen Palace was expected to rise by approximately 15 m. To avoid submersion of the site, three gates were elevated by 15…
Production technology of late Roman decorated tableware from the Vesuvius environs: Evidence from Pollena Trocchia (Campania region, Italy)
The northern slope of Mt. Vesuvius contains some interesting archaeological sites, including the site discovered in the town of Pollena Trocchia , where the remains, dated to between the 79 and 472 CE eruptions, document the transition from the Roman to late Roman cultural and socioeconomic settings. Profound changes occurred in this time interval, which can be inferred from changes in the ceramic manufacturing processes. Common wares, as the mos…
A pottery workshop in Pompeii unveils new insights on the Roman ceramics crafting tradition and raw materials trade
Characterization of ancient building lime mortars of Anhui province, China: A multi‐analytical approach
The characterization of lime mortars has become of primary importance in order to obtain information about the raw ingredients and building technology of ancient masonry structures. Five different samples from Anhui province, China, representing two types of lime mortar‐based materials: joint mortars between the bricks of the city wall and lime mortar sealing a tomb coffin, were collected for analysis. Archaeological information about the samples…
Ceramic building materials from the ancient Témesa (Calabria region, Italy): Raw materials procurement, mix-design and firing processes from the Hellenistic to Roman period
The Mediterranean trading centre of Vivara (southern Italy): New insights on the production and circulation of pottery during the Bronze Age (16th – 15th century BCE)
Roman technological expertise in the construction of perpetual buildings: New insights into the wall paintings of a banquet scene from a tomb in Cumae (southern Italy)
Nile River clayey materials in Sudan: Chemical and isotope analysis as reference data for ancient pottery provenance studies
Archaeometric Characterisation and Assessment of Conservation State of Coins: The Case-Study of a Selection of Antoniniani from the Hoard of Cumae (Campania Region, Southern Italy)
The paper presents the first archaeometric results on a selection of ancient Roman coins (antoniniani) from a treasure found in the Roman necropolis area of ancient Cumae (Southern Italy) during archaeological campaigns by the Centre Jean Bérard. A multi-analytical approach consisting of non-destructive techniques (stereomicroscopy, FESEM-EDS, pXRF, Raman, μ-CT) was implemented on the better-preserved coins of the treasure in order to investigate…
Characterization of archaeological lime mortars in a Ming dynasty tomb: A multi‐analytical approach
Lime mortars have played an important role in constructing ancient Chinese masonry structures, including city walls, buildings, and tombs. A tomb built with lime mortars and stones belonging a Ming high‐ranking official, Xu Jie, was discovered in Huzhou City of China. Eight different samples from Xu Jie’s tomb, representing four types of lime‐mortar‐based materials: joint mortar between stone bricks, bedding mortar, grouting mortar, and plaster m…
Advances in archaeological science during Covid-19 pandemic
Investigating Technology and Raw Materials Source of the Archaic and Classical Architectural Terracottas From the Athenaion in Castro (Apulia, Italy)
Since 2000, archaeological excavations have brought to light the sanctuary of Athena in Castro (Apulia, Italy), including terracotta roofs dated between the 6th and 4th centuries bce . Based on their morphological and stylistic features, it is suggested that the terracotta items were manufactured in the Greek colony of Taras (modern Taranto); conversely, several fragments cannot yet be confidently attributed to any specific production site. To sh…
Pompeian pigments. A glimpse into ancient Roman colouring materials
Archaeology (20 works) · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis (20 works) · Geography (19 works) · Geology (19 works) · Building materials and conservation (18 works) · Materials Science (15 works) · Metallurgy (13 works) · Mineralogy (12 works) · Conservation Techniques and Studies (11 works) · Ceramic (10 works)