Indexed Papers (ISI/ Scopus) by Cinzia Bettineschi
The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 2025
The production techniques used in creating Ptolemaic glass inlays have fascinated researchers for... more The production techniques used in creating Ptolemaic glass inlays have fascinated researchers for decades, yet a comprehensive understanding remains elusive due to limited contextual data from well-excavated secondary workshops. This paper presents an indepth investigation into glass forming, glass colouring, and furnace conditions, drawing on extensive archaeological research and chemical analyses of materials unearthed at the site of Tebtunis (Fayum Oasis) and from comparative datasets. Through the use of optical microscopy (OM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), we offer insights into the chunk-gathering technique employed for inlay forming and reconstruct the sequential steps involved in producing miniature mosaic glass figures. Our study also presents compelling evidence that glass colouring did indeed take place within secondary workshops during the Ptolemaic Period. We further highlight the technological skill of ancient Egyptian artisans by discussing the delicate interplay of temperature and redox conditions required to achieve specific hues. By analysing relics of the raw material, newly formed mineral phases, and colouring/ opacifying agents, we provide a clearer understanding of the glass colouring processes. Overall, this research significantly advances our knowledge of ancient glass technology, illuminating its complexity and importance during the Ptolemaic Period and laying a crucial foundation for future studies on the rich history of the ancient Egyptian glass industry.
Archaeofauna, 2025
In addition to several pit houses, the excavations on the village of Bostel di Rotzo unearthed th... more In addition to several pit houses, the excavations on the village of Bostel di Rotzo unearthed the remains of a pottery workshop with activity held between the end of the 4th and the 2nd centuries BC. Inside it, two sets of spatially confined, selected anatomical elements, were recovered. The first cluster (2006-2010) was found near the south-western furnace and totalled 60 items, including 32 metapodials, 27 phalanxes and 1 horncore fragment; 12 of these featured inscriptions. The second lot was discovered recently in a wooden-floor area on the north-eastern part of the same structure and totalled 78 elements, of which 7 featured inscriptions. The systematic selection of phalanxes and metapodials was once more evident. The presence of several unfused epiphyses found in undisturbed anatomical connection suggested the existence of connective tissue in the pre-depositional phase. This paper presents the context of the discovery, the osteological analysis, and alternative models of interpretation. In particular, the hypothesis of a rituality connected to craft activities, as has been hypothesized for other contexts of the pre-Roman Veneto, or a practical use with a numeral function, will be evaluated.
Journal of Glass Studies, 2025
This research constitutes a systematic archaeological and archaeometric study on ornamental vitre... more This research constitutes a systematic archaeological and archaeometric study on ornamental vitreous material from Spain dated to the Late and Final Bronze Age (LBA-FBA, about 1650-900 cal BCE). Our multi-analytical approach combines morphometric, textural, and chemico-mineralogical analyses with typo-chronological and spatial investigations to diachronically quantify the distribution of the beads and highlight how their recipes vary over time. The analyses were performed on a set of 17 beads coming from four archaeological sites in the Alicante (Cabezo Redondo, Cueva de las Delicias, and Peña Negra) and Albacete (El Amarejo) provinces. We were able to document the first mixed-alkali glassy faience ever recorded in Spain and the oldest Egyptian blue bead discovered in western Europe. Additionally, we discovered that plant-ash glasses seem to predominate in this area during the LBA and up to the early FBA. It is only during the FBA (tenth to ninth century BCE) that the earliest natron glasses start to appear, and they show the iron-rich and the aluminum-cobalt variants already observed in numerous beads from European and Mediterranean contexts dated from the tenth to the eighth century BCE. During the Late Bronze Age (LBA), the Mediterranean world was an interconnected hub of cultures, trades, and technological innovations. 1 Multiple research projects carried out on the beads and pendants from Italy, France, the Aegean, central Europe, and the eastern Mediterranean clearly evidence that this is also a key period for the 1 Iacono and others 2022.
Applied Sciences, 2025
This article focuses on the archaeological and archaeometric characterization of a glass head pen... more This article focuses on the archaeological and archaeometric characterization of a glass head pendant in Phoenicio-Punic style from the Marchetti Collection, a formerly private assemblage now belonging to the University of Padova. After the first visual inspection, the typology and appearance of the object raised serious doubts about its authenticity. For this reason, an integrated approach combining stylistic and typo-chronological analyses with archaeometric data was implemented for reconstructing the manufacturing techniques and identifying the raw materials used (i.e., silica source, flux composition, and colouring and opacifying agents). The analytical techniques used include stereomicroscopy (SM) to identify the production techniques, OM, SEM-EDS, and µ-Raman for textural and chemico-mineralogical investigations. The archaeological study and the comparison of our analytical results with the data published in the scientific literature agree in confirming that the investigated object is a forgery, as already demonstrated for other pieces from the same collection.
Remote Sensing and Artificial Intelligence for Mountain Archaeology
The Oxford Handbook of Mountain Archaeology The Oxford Handbook of Mountain Archaeology, 2024
This chapter will focus on state-of-the-art applications of remote sensing and Artificial Intelli... more This chapter will focus on state-of-the-art applications of remote sensing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the archaeological investigation of the mountain environment. It will provide introductory knowledge on the most relevant passive and active sensors mounted on drone, aerial, and satellite platforms. Particularly, the chapter will consider visible RGB photography, multi- and hyperspectral imaging, LiDAR data and visualizations, and Synthetic Aperture Radar. After a general introduction on the principles of earth observation, the major challenges of its application in montane regions will be thoroughly discussed, including high gradients and rugged morphology, dense afforestation, remoteness, weather conditions, and climate change. Moreover, a general overview and critical assessment of automated image-classification techniques and AI approaches employed in mountain archaeology will be provided. By scrutinizing these methodologies, the chapter aims to discern the most promising trends that hold significant potential for shaping the future of archaeological investigations in mountainous terrains. Through this exploration, readers will gain insights into the evolving synergy between remote sensing, AI, and mountain archaeology, paving the way for advancements and innovations in this interdisciplinary field.
Archaeometry, 2023
A systematic and extensive analytical study was carried out on the loose inlays discovered in the... more A systematic and extensive analytical study was carried out on the loose inlays discovered in the Ptolemaic workshop of Tebtynis (Fayum oasis, Egypt). This paper presents data derived from the multi-methodological archaeometric investigations (optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, micro-Raman spectroscopy) performed on a set of intentionally colored and opacified glasses. In particular, we will discuss the textural, chemical, and mineralogical results related to the study of the yellow, yellowish-orange, red, and brown inlays and semi-finished/waste products now preserved at the Museo Egizio, Torino. The results highlight the presence of natron (low-magnesium glasses, LMG) and plant ash (high-magnesium glasses, HMG) base glass, coexisting with intermediate composition. Yellow samples are opacified using lead antimonates doped with iron and sometimes tin; conversely, yellowish-orange specimens and the only brown sample are characterized by nanocrystals of cuprite. Red glasses are found in two variants: Dull reds are HMG with colloidal metallic copper particles, while sealing-wax reds show LMG composition, associated with dendritic cuprite dispersed in a transparent, greenish matrix.
European Journal of Post-Classical Archaeologies, 2022
The plateau of Marcesina, in the municipality of Enego (Vicenza, Italy), was selected as a test s... more The plateau of Marcesina, in the municipality of Enego (Vicenza, Italy), was selected as a test site to develop an automated protocol for the recognition and quantification of cairns and cairnfields in Alpine environment coupling object-based image analysis (OBIA) and artificial intelligence (AI). The segmentation was implemented starting from a combination of aerial orthoimages and LiDAR-derived visualizations (nDSM and Openness), which were subsequently classified with a knowledge-based approach. Our rule-set was able to identify 491 cairns in an area of approximately 4.5 km2; the average user’s and producer’s accuracy were calculated thanks to an assessment strategy based on drone flights and ground survey and returned values of 81.4% -95%, respectively.
Genetic characterization of two North Italian villages: A story of isolation, ancient admixture, and genetic drift
American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 2022
Population isolates represent a focus of interest because of their particular genetic history and... more Population isolates represent a focus of interest because of their particular genetic history and the possibility of mapping peculiar deleterious variants. Here we investigated the pattern of genetic variation in two North Italian villages: Rotzo (RTZ) and Stoccareddo (STC), in the Asiago plateau. We genotyped over 800 individuals for more than 600.000 markers. We investigated the isolation level by analyzing runs of homozygosity (ROH) and the level of population structure. Then we estimated the time of admixture and the relationship between ancient genomes and these two villages. Finally, we looked at the effect of genetic drift on deleterious variants. We highlighted a different isolation level between RTZ and STC; despite the average number of ROH being similar between the two villages, RTZ shows a higher level of total homozygosity. We estimated, from different sources, that the time of admixture for the ancestors of these two populations was between 113 and 88 generations ago. We discovered that a deleterious variant in MCUB gene (rs78025076), which is linked to several lipid traits, is entirely absent in RTZ and at 1%frequency in STC. In contrast, the risk allele frequency is 2% in Europe and 2.4% in North‐East Italy. These results show the importance of a genetic characterization of geographically isolated populations. Their vast array of past history could highlight specific events in the past and help describe deleterious variants and traits distribution in different regions.
Archaeometry, 2022
Inlays range among the most aesthetically pleasing and technically challenging glasses produced i... more Inlays range among the most aesthetically pleasing and technically challenging glasses produced in the Ptolemaic period. Despite the central role of this phase in the history of glass technology, little is known about the recipes and the technological knowledge of the Egyptian artisans. This paper will thus focus on the study of the materials from the secondary workshop of Tebtynis (Fayum oasis, Egypt). We report the first multi-methodological study comprising textural, chemical, and mineralogical analyses (OM, SEM-EDS, EPMA, and μ-Raman) on a set of 81 colorless, white, blue, and green samples carefully selected among the 800+ glasses from the craft area now stored at the Museo Egizio, Torino (Italy).
Our study offers the biggest compositional database of well-dated Ptolemaic glasses currently available in the literature, highlighting some interesting novelties regarding the silica and alkali sources, and the coloring and opacifying techniques employed. The results suggest a specialized craft of traditional origin, but open to innovation and experimentation, as expected from transitional phases.
Applied Sciences, 2022
An interesting assemblage of ancient ceramic materials connected or potentially connected with ga... more An interesting assemblage of ancient ceramic materials connected or potentially connected with gaming activities has been characterized from the archaeometric point of view. The materials (washer-like pieces, small spheres, and cubic dice, with and without inscriptions) were found in the Villa del Foro excavation (Alessandria, Italy). They are related to the early Ligurian population of the site and their frequent contacts with Etruscan both in Etruria and in the Po Valley, in a period spanning the early VI century BC till the first half of the V century BC. Starting from the materials evidence, hypotheses are proposed concerning their possible use and cultural meaning. The studied cubic dice are discussed in the wider context of the pre-Roman diffusion of these objects.
Remote Sensing, 2021
This contribution examines the potential of object-based image analysis (OBIA) for archaeological... more This contribution examines the potential of object-based image analysis (OBIA) for archaeological predictive modeling starting from elevation data, by testing a ruleset for the location of “control places” on two test areas in the Alpine environment (northern Italy). The ruleset was developed on the western Asiago Plateau (Vicenza Province, Veneto) and subsequently re-applied (semi)automatically in the Isarco Valley (South Tirol). Firstly, we considered the physiographic, climatic, and morphological characteristics of the selected areas and we applied 3 DTM processing techniques: Slope, local dominance, and solar radiation. Subsequently, we employed an object-based approach to classification. Solar radiation, local dominance, and slope were visualized as a three-layer RGB image that was segmented with the multiresolution algorithm. The classification was implemented with a ruleset that selected only image–objects with high local dominance and solar radiation, but low slope, which were considered more suitable parameters for human occupation. The classification returned five areas on the Asiago Plateau that were remotely and ground controlled, confirming anthropic exploitation covering a time span from protohistory (2nd-1st millennium BC) to the First World War. Subsequently, the same model was applied to the Isarco Valley to verify the replicability of the method. The procedure resulted in 36 potential control places which find good correspondence with the archaeological sites discovered in the area. Previously unknown contexts were further controlled using very high-resolution (VHR) aerial images and digital terrain model (DTM) data, which often suggested a possible (pre-proto)historic human frequentation. The outcomes of the analysis proved the feasibility of the approach, which can be exported and applied to similar mountainous landscapes for site predictivity analysis.
Nuncius, 2019
Despite the key role of the Ptolemaic period in the history of glass technology, very little is k... more Despite the key role of the Ptolemaic period in the history of glass technology, very little is known on the workshop activities and on the organization of the production. This is mainly due to the limits of the documentation currently available, consisting of very few archaeological contexts often poorly preserved. This contribution presents a first overview of the material and archival record related to the 1931 excavations in the Ptolemaic inlay workshop of Tebtynis (Fayum oasis, Egypt). Unlike other coeval sites, the data from Tebtynis revealed a complete set of evidence related to the stratigraphy and the topography of the craft area, to the shape and size of the kiln, to the furniture, the tools, the raw materials, and the finished products discovered. The interpretation of the data provides the opportunity to propose new hypotheses on the function of the spaces and the tools, but also on the chronology of the workshop, contributing to shedding light on the technological and empirical knowledge of the ancient Egyptian glassmakers in a crucial moment of glass history.
Archeologia e Calcolatori, 2019
This paper presents the combined use of UAV-derived Digital Elevation Models, optical and IR imag... more This paper presents the combined use of UAV-derived Digital Elevation Models, optical and IR imaging and multispectral satellite images to produce a (micro)topographic survey of the proto-historic village of Bostel, in the municipality of Rotzo (province of Vicenza, Italy). It aims to improve our knowledge of the structural organization of the site. Different vegetation indices were calculated from the multiband images to enhance the grass and soil-marks in open field, allowing the identification of buried structures. Close-range images were acquired with a commercial DJI Phantom 2 and a customized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), equipped with both high-resolution digital and IR cameras. Structure from Motion was used on the acquired data to create digital elevation models (DEM) of sample areas, which were enhanced by using different data visualization techniques.
Remote sensing analyses were then combined with fieldwork data, producing a complex environmental model. The houses found during the excavations seem to be embedded in a framework of structures for the sake of space organization, defense and control. Moreover, the presence of a dense network of terraces and buildings, running right up to the south-eastern ridge of the promontory, confirms the existence of an intense human occupation of the entire area.
Journal of Archaeological Science, 2019
Object-based image analysis (OBIA) is rapidly emerging as a valuable method for integrating the d... more Object-based image analysis (OBIA) is rapidly emerging as a valuable method for integrating the data processing techniques and GIS approaches classically employed in archaeology. OBIA is intended to replicate human perception by using a protocol of (semi)automated image segmentation and classification. However, the lack of a theoretical background adapted to the specificities of the archaeological discipline is still preventing researchers from finding a shared language and a common protocol of investigation necessary to allow the comparability of the results. This article discusses a series of crucial theoretical issues linked to the incompleteness and the equi-/multifinality of the archaeological record and introduces the core concept of Diachronic Semantic Models (DhSM) as a means to integrate the long-term evolution of the archaeological landscape in the conceptual, digital and real world frameworks of the object-based approach. We also present an assessment of the limits and potential of this method, built from a set of case studies from published and unpublished research. Finally, we propose a general workflow of an Archaeological Object-Based Image Analysis (ArchaeOBIA) project, designed for stimulating the development of an operational routine for object-based applications in archaeology.
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Archaeological Prospection, Dec 23, 2016
This paper presents the results of the first attempt to assess, identify and quantify the residua... more This paper presents the results of the first attempt to assess, identify and quantify the residual number of shell craters of World War I currently present in the Vezzena/ Luserna/ Lavarone Plateau, areas of Millegrobbe, Bisele and Cima Campo (TN, Italy). Historical sources report the existence of several thousand of artillery explosions: therefore, a field survey or a classic photointerpretation appeared as labor-intensive and highly time-consuming. For this reason, a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the test-site was processed using the Sky-View Factor algorithm and was analyzed with an object-based approach, which implied: 1) multi-resolution segmentation; 2) classification (main features considered size, shape and color).
The automatically classified shell craters were thus verified during an in situ survey that determined the accuracy of the method in the order of 84% of the total occurrences.
Proceedings of the 12th International Conference in Sound and Music Computing, SMC 2015, 2015
This paper presents the early developments of a recently started research project, aimed at study... more This paper presents the early developments of a recently started research project, aimed at studying from a multidisciplinary perspective an exceptionally well preserved ancient pan flute. A brief discussion of the history and iconography of pan flutes is provided, with a focus on Classical Greece. Then a set of non-invasive analyses are presented , which are based on 3D scanning and materials chemistry , and are the starting point to inspect the geometry, construction, age and geographical origin of the instrument. Based on the available measurements, a preliminary analysis of the instrument tuning is provided, which is also informed with elements of theory of ancient Greek music. Finally, the paper presents current work aimed at realizing an interactive museum installation that recreates a virtual flute and allows intuitive access to all these research facets.
Horus – a drone project for visual and IR imaging
Metrology for Aerospace, 2017
The focus of the project is to create new
approaches to the study of the past through the use of
... more The focus of the project is to create new
approaches to the study of the past through the use of
innovative aero-space technologies to measure, analyse
and reconstruct the ancient landscape and its remaining
natural and anthropic traces.
The équipe, based at the University of Padua, is constituted
by archaeologists, egyptologists, mechanical and software
engineers, physicists and computer scientists and is now
active on the proto-historic site of Rotzo, in Italy.
The research includes the analysis of the historical records,
such as old maps and historic aerial photographs, use of
drones and the creation of a GIS platform for comprehensive data management.
Volumes by Cinzia Bettineschi
This monograph represents the first book in Italian on ancient faience from Egypt and the Mediter... more This monograph represents the first book in Italian on ancient faience from Egypt and the Mediterranean, with a broad, comparative perspective
The book offers a thorough exploration of the history, technology, and cultural context of faience and early vitreous materials, emphasizing the importance of these artifacts in ancient societies. It also delves into the role of artisans and the organization of the workshops and interprets those data in their social and economic framework. Finally, it summarizes the most important modern approaches for the study of these materials, including biographic narratives and analytical investigations.
While Egypt stands at the epicenter of the research, the book also explores the independent and mediated productions that developed in continental Europe and the Mediterranean during the 2nd and 1st millennium BCE, drawing on a combination of typological, technological, and compositional evidence. A glossary and an extensive bibliography are included at the end of the book, providing readers with the tools and resources needed for further study.
This collection of writings was conceived as a tribute to Armando De Guio – colleague, friend, me... more This collection of writings was conceived as a tribute to Armando De Guio – colleague, friend, mentor – on the occasion of his retirement from the academic activity. His enthusiasm and brilliant mind have contributed to open the way towards unexplored spaces and times, sometimes anticipating by entire decades the methodological and applicative directions of the archaeological research at national and international level. Following his traces – multiform, sometimes complex, but always enlightening – the authors of this volume have built their contributions as a tangible sign of esteem, affection and gratitude to a figure who has been, and continues to be, a reference of the Italian archaeological scene.
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Indexed Papers (ISI/ Scopus) by Cinzia Bettineschi
Our study offers the biggest compositional database of well-dated Ptolemaic glasses currently available in the literature, highlighting some interesting novelties regarding the silica and alkali sources, and the coloring and opacifying techniques employed. The results suggest a specialized craft of traditional origin, but open to innovation and experimentation, as expected from transitional phases.
Remote sensing analyses were then combined with fieldwork data, producing a complex environmental model. The houses found during the excavations seem to be embedded in a framework of structures for the sake of space organization, defense and control. Moreover, the presence of a dense network of terraces and buildings, running right up to the south-eastern ridge of the promontory, confirms the existence of an intense human occupation of the entire area.
…
The automatically classified shell craters were thus verified during an in situ survey that determined the accuracy of the method in the order of 84% of the total occurrences.
approaches to the study of the past through the use of
innovative aero-space technologies to measure, analyse
and reconstruct the ancient landscape and its remaining
natural and anthropic traces.
The équipe, based at the University of Padua, is constituted
by archaeologists, egyptologists, mechanical and software
engineers, physicists and computer scientists and is now
active on the proto-historic site of Rotzo, in Italy.
The research includes the analysis of the historical records,
such as old maps and historic aerial photographs, use of
drones and the creation of a GIS platform for comprehensive data management.
Volumes by Cinzia Bettineschi
The book offers a thorough exploration of the history, technology, and cultural context of faience and early vitreous materials, emphasizing the importance of these artifacts in ancient societies. It also delves into the role of artisans and the organization of the workshops and interprets those data in their social and economic framework. Finally, it summarizes the most important modern approaches for the study of these materials, including biographic narratives and analytical investigations.
While Egypt stands at the epicenter of the research, the book also explores the independent and mediated productions that developed in continental Europe and the Mediterranean during the 2nd and 1st millennium BCE, drawing on a combination of typological, technological, and compositional evidence. A glossary and an extensive bibliography are included at the end of the book, providing readers with the tools and resources needed for further study.