http://hdl.handle.net/10174/14486 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:25:09 GMT 2026-07-08T10:25:09Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42285 Title: Unravelling the link between the simulacra of St Clemente of Palácio Nacional de Queluz and St Fortunato & St Semuc of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Almada Authors: Ferreira, Teresa; Nunes, Margarida; Curto, Ana; Manhita, Ana; Palmeirão, Joana Abstract: This work presents a comparative osteological, material, and technical investigation of three 18th-century simulacra preserved in Portugal, aiming to clarify their origin, circulation, assembly, and shared workshop practices. Archival documentation and authentication seals confirmed their Roman origin and circulation during the 1770s. Radiocarbon dating places the skeletal remains between the 3rd and 5th centuries, spanning both periods of Christian persecution and subsequent imperial consolidation. Osteological, radiographic, and endoscopic analyses revealed differing anatomical configurations: St Semuc and St Fortunato incorporate remains from multiple non-adult individuals, assembled through deliberate substitution and consolidation practices, whereas St Clemente preserves a largely complete and anatomically coherent skeleton of a probable young adult male. Nevertheless, a similar assemblage for the body was uncovered for all simulacra. Facial modelling relied on silk gauze tiers, stiffened with various organic materials, alone or mixed, including proteinaceous and resin binders, such as collagen-based glues and conifer colophony-type. Imaging-based morphometric analysis was used to explore the weave type, and similar morphometric parameters were estimated, indicating a deliberate and coherent choice of gauze type. Ultimately, SEM-EDS showed that "false gold" strips (gilt-silvered-copper strips) were used in the simulacra's helmets. Overall, the interdisciplinary approach evidenced that simulacra were assembled as devotional reliquaries likely in Rome, and that they shared the same workshop or similar workshop practices. Wed, 01 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42285 2026-07-01T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42216 Title: Islamic Middle Ages Pottery from Muge (Portugal), Serradinho Archaeological Site—A Long-Lasting Tradition of Pottery Production Authors: Camara, Carlos Andre; Lopes, Gonçalo; Schiavon, Nicola; Mirão, José; Beltrame, Massimo Abstract: During the Islamic period, ceramic workshops were commonly established in settlements throughout the Gharb al-Andalus region (Western Iberia at the time), to produce ceramics for local supply. Along the middle valley of the Tagus river (i.e., nowadays central Portugal), hundreds of Islamic ceramic sherds, either glazed or common wares, were recovered over different archaeological excavations. At the archaeological site of Serradinho, located at Muge (Municipality of Salvaterra de Magos, Santarem District, Portugal), a fortuitous finding was unearthed during agricultural works in which ceramic sherds from the Emiral (8–9th century) to the Almoravid (mid–12th century) period were recorded. The uninterrupted time lapse evidenced by these ceramic artefacts is a one-off opportunity to trace back early Islamic ceramic production and to link it with the long-lasting ceramic tradition documented at Muge by ethnographic studies. In this study, insights into the provenance of raw materials and the pottery-manufacturing processes will be approached by means of different optical and analytical methods, namely Optical Microscopy (OM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscope, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and granulometric tests on sediments offering some interesting parallels between archaeological and modern ceramic production. Results suggested that most ceramics were locally produced, while others were imported into the settlement during the Islamic Middle Ages. Moreover, data indicate that a locally available raw material which is still used nowadays for the production of traditional ceramics had been employed. This result confirms the exploitation of the same raw material over time, linking Islamic Middle Ages ceramic production to the modern one. Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42216 2025-03-27T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42201 Title: Unveiling the maniz. cod. 99: A microscopic and spectroscopic investigation of its writing inks Authors: Nunes, Margarida; Corregidor, Victoria; Cerqueira Alves, Luís; J.C. SIlva, Bruno; Waerenborgh, João Carlos; G. Mitchell, Scott; Claro, Ana; Ferreira, Teresa Abstract: The Orthographia Pratica de Varias Letras is a unique 17th-century Portuguese codex, notable for its exceptional significance in the history of Latin calligraphy during the Modern period. Unfortunately, it faces complex conservation challenges due to the presence of iron gall ink (IGI). This work aimed to thoroughly characterise the inks and their impact on the manuscript using an integrated analytical approach. Extensive micro-XRF analysis revealed two distinct groups of IGIs based on their transition metal content. Zn-rich IGIs were found in half of the manuscript, suggesting the use of Zn-bearing green vitriol. In contrast, a more refined form of green vitriol was identified in the IGIs on the other half, suggesting that different types of vitriol were used. Variations in the binder-to-vitriol ratios were proposed, indicating distinct IGI formulations throughout the codex. The poor condition observed in some folios was primarily associated with greater ink coverage per surface area and lower binder content. FIB-SEM and PIXE analysis provided insights into the behaviour of Fe within the cellulose structure, including penetration and lateral migration. The IGI chromophore was further investigated by Mössbauer and XPS, which confirmed an Fe(III)-polyphenol mono-complex with a catecholate binding mode and Fe(III) in an octahedral arrangement. Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42201 2026-06-11T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42130 Title: Dendrochronological study of Van Goyen´s panels and preliminary study of its painting technique Authors: Lauw, Alexandra; Valadas, Sara; Mayer, Maria; Santos, Dóris; Telles, Patrícia; Candeias, António; Antunes, Vanessa Abstract: This research employs a comprehensive methodology integrating dendrochronology, and the technical and material study of the painting´s pigments, and stratigraphy to further enhance our understanding of materials and techniques of the Dutch landscape painter of the seventeenth century, Jan van Goyen (1596–1656). The scientific examination of the eight panels housed in Medeiros e Almeida Museum (Portugal, Lisbon) aims to identify the wooden panels utilized by Van Goyen’s workshop, exploring their assembly techniques and dates. Additionally, the integrated in situ approach also encompasses visible standard light photography, infrared reflectography and ultraviolet fluorescence photography imaging techniques and chemical analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and 2D macro-energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. The scientific results from the Village Scene, the earlier work known by Van Goyen in the collection, dated 1623, revealed that the artist executed an expressive underdrawing to set out the painting composition and applied a rich palette in the artistic expression, based on lead white, lead tin yellow, smalt blue, ochres, vermillion and a copper green pigment. This ongoing research provides a unique perspective on the relationship between materials and artistic intent in Van Goyen’s work, offering valuable insights into the broader cultural and historical context of Dutch painting of the period. Sun, 17 Aug 2025 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42130 2025-08-17T23:00:00Z