Multi-analytical Approach for the Characterisation of Ancient Mineral Fibres: Tracing the Use of Asbestos in the Italic Peninsula

This paper presents the multi-analytical approach performed by microscopic analysis using Optical and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM-EDX) and Raman spectroscopy. These techniques allow us to recognise asbestos fibres and precisely characterise their mineral nature. Using Raman micro-spectroscopy, which is often used to discriminate tiny mineral fibres, it was possible to precisely characterise the mineral composition of the asbestos fibres from ancient central-southern Italy by comparing their manufacture through the identification of the specific asbestos phase. The results obtained highlight the extraction activity of the mineral fibres and the use of long hair-like fibres to manufacture textile objects in the ancient Italic Peninsula.