Papers by Miguel Cisneros Cunchillos
Sabine Ladstätter – Walter Prochaska – Vasiliki Anevlavi (eds.), ASMOSIA XIII. Proceedings of the 13th International Conference of the Association for the Study of Marble and Other Stones in Antiquity, Vienna, 19–24 September 2022, Volume I, SoSchrÖAI 65 (Vienna 2025), 101-114, 2025
This work looks into the imitation of fossiliferous ornamental rocks and fossils in bicolour and ... more This work looks into the imitation of fossiliferous ornamental rocks and fossils in bicolour and polychrome glass. This depositional group makes up one of the most solid sets, with unique features and characteristics, which enabled the widespread artistic production of glass, especially during the reigns of emperors from Tiberius through to Nero (ca. AD 20–68). The underlying message conveyed by many of these objects is the search for protection, a permanent and deep-rooted need in the ancient world. This message usually derives from the nature of the precious stones and other organic matter considered as precious stones. Glass was considered a similar substance to these and served a comparable
purpose due to its particular properties. At the foundation of this belief was the assumption that the intrinsic characteristics of the aforementioned materials (colour, pattern, shape) helped parasympathetic magic, as archaeology has revealed and antique literary sources have confirmed. This article explores this multifarious phenomenon and examines the chromatic variations and imitated forms, paying special attention to the cases of Hispania in the context of imitations of ornamental rocks.
Microchemical Journal 207, 2024
Materials characterisation by non-invasive analytical methods is already a standardised practice ... more Materials characterisation by non-invasive analytical methods is already a standardised practice in Archaeology. However, problems may arise in the chemical identification of certain materials that lead to erroneous interpretations. In this study, we address the case of a fragment found in the well-documented archaeological site of Colonia Celsa (Velilla de Ebro, Zaragoza, Spain), first labeled during fieldworks as a glass fragment, subsequently this hypothesis was descarted by macroscopic archaeological recognition, then it was analyzed and identified as a natural resin, and finally, as a polymer blend upon a reinterpretation of the chemical characterisation. Based on this case of study, a methodological protocol for characterising unknown materials using non-invasive analytical methods was developed. A set of reference samples from natural resins were analysed using a portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and finally, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as a reference method. The obtained data were statistically processed to assess affinities and differences between the analysed samples, and the results of the different techniques were compared, indicating that the sample was a blend of high-density polyethene with ethylene vinyl acetate, (i.e., an out-of-place artefact). The reported procedure may be useful for specialists working in archaeological science and a warning signal in archaeometry studies.
Gemmae. An International Journal on Glyptic Studies 5, 2023
This work analyses the coexistence of precious stones and glass in the crux gemmata, crossing arc... more This work analyses the coexistence of precious stones and glass in the crux gemmata, crossing archaeological data and artistic works. The identification of gems in monochrome supports (ceramics, stone, glass, etc.) is possible thanks to the advantageous reading provided by the existing crosses and their reflection in contemporary polychrome representations. The chronological focus is placed on the archaeology of ancient times, when the crux gemmata first appeared, uncovering its
genesis and other contents that precede the art object to go beyond the historical-artistic panorama.
Saguntum (P.L.A.V.) 55, 2023
The Augusta Emerita agate vase is a unicum. The limited information about the context of its disc... more The Augusta Emerita agate vase is a unicum. The limited information about the context of its discovery and the exceptionality of the piece itself are the reason why its study has only been partially addressed up to now and mainly from an artistic level, comparing it with other outstanding examples made from precious stones. This may be why it has been given a generic chronology, between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD and assigned to an unspecified oriental workshop. In this work we review the vessel which is housed in the Museo Arqueológico Nacional and we carry out assessments about its manufacture, functionality, iconography, chronology and place of manufacture, including it in the meaning of the uasa murrina and establishing parallels with other vessels, manufactured in different raw materials, which is an indication of the relationships existing between different crafts in the Roman period. With this we intend to open new lines of research for its study and understanding.
Sautuola XXVII-XXVIII, 2023
We present the epigraphic study of an altar and a funerary inscription found in the town of Monas... more We present the epigraphic study of an altar and a funerary inscription found in the town of Monasterio (Salinas de Pisuerga, Palencia). Both are a further example of the existence of a Romanized population in the mountains of Palencia. In addition, the petrographic study of the stones on which these inscriptions were engraved and the area of their possible geological origin is also carried out. In the same way, their chronological and geographical contextualization is performed based on the historical and archaeological data known in the region.
C. Gómez Urdáñez (eda), Exhibir el lujo: de la intimidad al espectáculo, 2023
El llamado mosaico de Fortunatus (Fraga, Huesca, España) supone una demostración del luxus de las... more El llamado mosaico de Fortunatus (Fraga, Huesca, España) supone una demostración del luxus de las élites cristianas hispanorromanas, trasladando el banquete terrenal al paraíso. Así, el concepto de asàrotos oikos («suelo sin barrer») como exhibición de ostentación se reconfigura. En un escenario distinguido se muestran a los mismos observadores imágenes reconocibles; sin embargo, los mensajes subyacentes serán otros. El cristianismo adoptó formas y fondos culturalmente paganos, a modo de representación y para comunicar una doctrina de conversión en un lenguaje artístico conocido, eje vertebrador y vehículo de transformación conductual. Las gemas y esqueuomorfos en vidrio presentes en el luxus privado encontraron su lugar en la magnificentia eclesiástica.
Metallography, Microstructure, and Analysis, 2023
This paper shows the results of the archeometallurgical study of 31 iron pieces, 23 bronze pieces... more This paper shows the results of the archeometallurgical study of 31 iron pieces, 23 bronze pieces, 1 silver, and 1 gold piece found in the archeological site of La Ulaña, which is located in the north of Spain in the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains, and that lived its period of greatest splendor coinciding with the Second Iron Age. The basic chemical and microstructural analyses of the iron-and copper-based objects provide an overview of the use of these metals in the site. The results obtained are compared with those published from other archeological sites nearby. In addition, the most unique pieces are set in their archeological context to facilitate the understanding of their chronological ascription.
A. B. Yavuz, B. Yolaçan, M. Bruno (eds.), ASMOSIA XII. Proceedings of the XII Asmosia International Conference, 2023
The practice of objects made of precious metals (gold/silver), hard stones (ornamental and precio... more The practice of objects made of precious metals (gold/silver), hard stones (ornamental and precious) and rock crystal being imitated using cheaper metals, ceramic or glass in the Classical period is known through written sources and archaeology. Vessels, fragments of crustae, and shards of bright red streaked and yellow/orange glass have been found at several ancient sites, while some examples housed in museums have also been published. The likeness of the colour of these objects to some chromatic varieties of marmor numidicum is unquestionable. Such a similarity may also be observed on mural paintings and on a variant of Gallic terra sigillata, known as marmorata, produced in the workshops of La Graufesenque. This paper analyses the chromatic variants and imitated shapes of these artefacts from various perspectives, with particular attention to cases from Hispania by setting them within the context of the imitation of ornamental rocks in the Roman period.
Martin Bentz – Michael Heinzelmann (Eds.), Sessions 2 – 3, Single Contributions. Archaeology and Economy in the Ancient World 53 (Heidelberg, Propylaeum 2022) 493–505., 2022
The oldest recorded glass, dating from circa 23rd century B.C., is blue and consists of a preform... more The oldest recorded glass, dating from circa 23rd century B.C., is blue and consists of a preformed cast bar originating in Eshnunna (Mesopotamia). The earliest creations made of this material were beads that imitated semiprecious stones such as lapis lazuli or turquoise.
This paper documents blue glass skeuomorphs and verifies equivalent stones revealing concurrences from a morphological viewpoint and in terms of shapes, uses or contexts, including better known glass creations imitating lapis lazuli, turquoise and sapphire, as well as blue/white designs replicating cameos.
Glass craft experimentation reveals particular artistic licences so relationships may be established with other stones not blue in colour whose decoration patterns are well defined and whose manufacture in glass could fall within the group of inspirations, interpretations or versions.
Original and imitation objects were mainly used as containers, personal adornment, ornamental inlays, games and opera sectilia.
This paper presents instances from Augusta Emerita, Colonia Celsa and Caesar Augusta. Conclusions contribute to qualifying data provided by classical authors and to presenting data on social and economic aspects regarding the users of this type of product, for imitations though they may be they may not be assumed to have been accessible to all.
This investigation work is part of the project Ficta Vitro Lapis: Glass imitations of stones in Roman Hispania (HAR2015-64142-P) (MINECO/FEDER, UE).
digitAR, número especial , 2022
Highly elaborate imitations of objects made of precious or valuable materials using cheaper resou... more Highly elaborate imitations of objects made of precious or valuable materials using cheaper resources has been common throughout all periods. Classical sources mention stone vessels replicated in glass. This paper presents instances of this phenomenon in Augusta Emerita, where the existence of local varieties and of pieces from foreign workshops has also been attested. Various types of imitations can be noted in the collection from Augusta Emerita, such as opaque glass and so-called “mosaic glass”.
Anales de Arqueología Cordobesa 30, 2019
The municipium of Labitolosa (La Puebla de Castro, Huesca, Spain) was founded in the middle of th... more The municipium of Labitolosa (La Puebla de Castro, Huesca, Spain) was founded in the middle of the 1st century B.C. and abandoned by the end of the 2nd or early 3rd century A.D. Its public buildings underwent a significant process of monumentalization in the second half of the 1st century A.D. This paper focuses on the geological identification of the ornamental rocks used in the Curia (pedestals with inscriptions) and in Baths I (revetment panels and paving). Analyses carried out indicate an exclusive use of Hispanic limestones: so-called Santa Tecla stone (Tarragona) as well as limestone quarried near the site in Aguinalíu where ancient pits have been found of matching lithology. Questions regarding the decoration of the Baths and the cost of the marble covering are also examined. The aim of this paper is to contribute fresh data on the identification, use and dissemination of Hispanic limestones as well as social and economic aspects linked to them.
Ars & Renovatio 7, 2019
The social, cultural, political, ritual and art context where luxury materialized provides the ba... more The social, cultural, political, ritual and art context where luxury materialized provides the backdrop for the gemmata potoria. This paper examines their historical evolution up until the Roman period and explores the perdurance of both the most ostentatious vessels and those of lower quality ranges which, for various reasons, emulated them.
Coquelet C., Creemers G., Dreesen R. & Goemare É. (ed.), Roman Ornamental Stones in North-Western Europe. Natural Resources, Manufacturing, Supply, Life & After-Life, Namur (études et Documents, Archéologie, 38), pp. 163-174 , 2018
Our knowledge of the use and trade in ornamental rocks during the Roman period in the mid-Ebro va... more Our knowledge of the use and trade in ornamental rocks during the Roman period in the mid-Ebro valley (modern region of Aragon, Spain) has changed in the last few years as investigations have progressed. Thus, the almost total predominance of imperial marbles or marbles imported from the Mediterranean area has evolved towards a boom in marbles from Hispania and from the Pyrenees. Data, however, are inconstant both in terms of number of cities analysed and of their archaeological contextualization. This paper presents updated information concerning the most relevant sites and focuses on the identification of new rocks and on the various uses of marble ranging from building decoration to instrumenta domestica. At any rate, marble invariably epitomized social and economic distinction and set examples that would be copied both in public and private spheres. Finally, the role played by the river Ebro in the trade and dissemination of these rocks is analysed, paying particular attention to Pyrenean marble.
Archeologia Classica, 2018
The vas diatretum from Termes is a unicum in Hispania. This original piece combines: type of glas... more The vas diatretum from Termes is a unicum in Hispania. This original piece combines: type of glass (dichroic), openwork decoration (cage cup), cold work by cutting from thick-walled blank and a situla shape of considerable size. It belongs within the group of dichroic glass featuring alternate, non-simultaneous colours; it falls also within the group of similar vessels made of other raw materials such as metal and semi-precious stones. This paper analyses the vessel found in 1913 and housed at the Museo Arqueológico Nacional de España. The beaker has been referred to in multiple publications. However, incomplete and at times erroneous data are produced probably due to the lack of a direct analysis. Chronological, geographical, cultural, historical, archaeological and functional considerations are made which link the piece to its use for illumination, as a lamp. It is thus associated with the military and a hypothesis on who may have owned this diatretum is suggested.
Actas del V Congreso Internacional de Historia de la Arqueología / IV Jornadas de Historiografía SEHA-MAN. Arqueología de los Museos: 150 años de la creación del Museo Arqueológico Nacional, 2017
The contribution presented is part of research work aimed at specifically and thoroughly interpre... more The contribution presented is part of research work aimed at specifically and thoroughly interpreting and analysing a group of related decorations on vessels made of glass and (ornamental and semiprecious) stone. The pieces included illustrate cases of skeuomorphism supported by archaeology, ancient literary texts, archaeometry and the evidence of a developed and uninterrupted technological, functional and comercial heritage going back to the 23rd century B.C., when the most ancient pieces made of glass are documented, up to the present day. Particular attention is paid to objects from the Roman period housed at the Museo Arqueológico Nacional such as glass bowls and unguentaria, the agate vessel from Merida or the diatreta found in Tiermes, and also from earlier periods, such as the jug from Aliseda. Particular value is attached to all these objects in terms of their worth, peculiarity, beauty or artistic quality which are analysed and interpreted following the parameters of the research work in progress.
Quarhis. Quaderns d'Arqueologia i Historia de la ciutat de Barcelona, 2017
Thiasos Monografie , 2017
This paper sets out the results of research conducted on ornamental rocks unearthed by the archae... more This paper sets out the results of research conducted on ornamental rocks unearthed by the archaeological excavations in the cathedral of El Salvador (Zaragoza, Spain), which were carried out from 1992 to 1996 and disclosed the evolution of the ground plan of the Roman temple, the mosque and the Christian temple. The Roman temple presided over one of the longer sides of a rectangular plaza. This pseudoperipteral building, of the Corinthian order, was framed by a double pi-shaped portico. The peristasis contained 6 frontal columns and 11 lateral columns. Local rocks were used in the ashlar masonry and the columns were also stuccoed, as revealed by some of the preserved remains. Our goal is to increase our knowledge of the ornamental rocks that were used by examining their stratigraphic context, in order to establish their dates of use and reuse, as well as to provide fresh data regarding the ornamental marble agenda.
P. Pensabene & E. Gasparini (eds.), Interdisciplinary Studies on Ancient Rome. ASMOSIA X. Proceedings of the Tenth International Conference, 2015
We present here a study of the marbles found in the excavations carried out in certain parts of t... more We present here a study of the marbles found in the excavations carried out in certain parts of the stands, balteus and orchestra by a team from the Museum of Zaragoza between the mid-1980’s and early-1990’s. The aim is not only to identify the marbles used and their stratigraphic context, but also to contribute new data regarding their decorative programme. We had to revise the excavations previously mentioned and the sculptural fragments found within them. Layers in which marbles were found cover a wide chronological period, from the period of Claudius to the late Middle Ages. These contexts not only refer to the marble used throughout the different lives of the building, but also to a small lapidary located in the Roman city, covering both imperial marble and some of the best known Spanish stones, as well as others of the most common varieties found in the Mediterranean area.
J.M.Álvarez, T.Nogales &I.Rodà (eds), XVIII Congreso Internacional de Arqueología Clásica. Centro y periferia en el mundo clásico., 2014
This paper falls within the line of investigation of the skeuomorphism, in particular in the imit... more This paper falls within the line of investigation of the skeuomorphism, in particular in the imitations of stone pottery and of personal ornaments in glass, although there are also panels of opus sectile and wall revetments. This phenomenon can be traced in glasses of Julio-Claudian period, fundamentally although not exclusively. The instances we present here correspond to several glass vessels, which colouring imitates some of the most widespread stones in the roman world and whose parallels have been published out of the Spanish area.
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Papers by Miguel Cisneros Cunchillos
purpose due to its particular properties. At the foundation of this belief was the assumption that the intrinsic characteristics of the aforementioned materials (colour, pattern, shape) helped parasympathetic magic, as archaeology has revealed and antique literary sources have confirmed. This article explores this multifarious phenomenon and examines the chromatic variations and imitated forms, paying special attention to the cases of Hispania in the context of imitations of ornamental rocks.
genesis and other contents that precede the art object to go beyond the historical-artistic panorama.
This paper documents blue glass skeuomorphs and verifies equivalent stones revealing concurrences from a morphological viewpoint and in terms of shapes, uses or contexts, including better known glass creations imitating lapis lazuli, turquoise and sapphire, as well as blue/white designs replicating cameos.
Glass craft experimentation reveals particular artistic licences so relationships may be established with other stones not blue in colour whose decoration patterns are well defined and whose manufacture in glass could fall within the group of inspirations, interpretations or versions.
Original and imitation objects were mainly used as containers, personal adornment, ornamental inlays, games and opera sectilia.
This paper presents instances from Augusta Emerita, Colonia Celsa and Caesar Augusta. Conclusions contribute to qualifying data provided by classical authors and to presenting data on social and economic aspects regarding the users of this type of product, for imitations though they may be they may not be assumed to have been accessible to all.
This investigation work is part of the project Ficta Vitro Lapis: Glass imitations of stones in Roman Hispania (HAR2015-64142-P) (MINECO/FEDER, UE).