Methodology for the Identification of Roman Pictorial Workshops: Application to the Second Style Sets of the Municipium Augusta Bilbilis (Calatayud, Saragossa, Spain)

Abstract

In this study we present the results of an interdisciplinary analysis applied to four pictoric sets from three domus (Domus 1, Domus 2 –belonging to Insula I- and House of the Lararium) of the roman site of Municipium Augusta Bilbilis (Calatayud, Spain). The main objective is to find out if the analytical techniques applied to the pigments (archaeometry) and the study of the mortars (petrology) allow us to find our own craft recipes and there-fore conclude that these decorations were made by the same workshop. The aim is also to establish a working methodology to identify this type of workshop beyond the traditional one based on the observation of certain iconographic or technical aspects. The four pictoric sets fall stylistically within the so-called II style and all of them come from representation rooms within the three most important dwellings in this town.