A PRELIMINARY COMPOSITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF MUD BRICK AND CLAYS FROM THE PHOENICIAN EMPORIUM OF MOZIA, SICILY

Authors

William M. Balco, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA 30597

Abstract

The Phoenician emporium of Mozia, located on the near-shore island of San Pantaleo, was first established by Phoenician merchants in the eighth century BC. The construction of a circuitous mud brick wall during the sixth century BC fortified the island, offering protection to the mercantile center and its inhabitants. One sample of decomposed mud brick from the fortifications at the South Gate and four samples of clay from various parts of the island were collected for mineralogical analysis. X-Ray Diffraction and petrographic analysis of these samples demonstrates the brick differs mineralogically from the San Pantaleo clays, suggesting the importation of either raw clay or finished bricks for the construction of the fortification wall.

Recommended Citation

Balco, William M. (2017) "A PRELIMINARY COMPOSITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF MUD BRICK AND CLAYS FROM THE PHOENICIAN EMPORIUM OF MOZIA, SICILY," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 75, No. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol75/iss1/4