First Evidence of "Earth Wax" Inside the Casting Molds from the Roman Era.
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ABSTRACT: This research was focused on the analysis of material composition and organic residues present in three molds found in the Moravian region (Czech Republic) belonging to the Roman era. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy pointed out the possible remelting of Roman objects in Barbarian territory. The analysis of organic residues retrieved from the internal part of mold #2 by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry proved the presence of ozokerite wax ("earth wax"). Consequent analysis of this organic residue by Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe-ion mobility spectrometry-high-resolution mass spectrometry (ASAP-IMS-HRMS) confirmed the presence of ceresin, the main component of ozokerite. Ceresin was also detected in a sample of the organic residue from mold #1. Note that this is the first application of ASAP-IMS-HRMS in archaeological research. The remains of earth wax in molds suggest the production of wax models as an intermediate stage for the production of lost-wax ceramic casting molds.
SUBMITTER: Jagosova K
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8306946 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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