A note on incrustations on a mosaic floor fragment from Punta Epitaffio in Baia

This paper reports the results of scientific research on a fragment of mosaic flooring recovered from the Ninfeo of Punta Epitaffio in Baia (Italy). The tesserae were made of calcite; the mortar present among the tesserae was made of slaked lime. Incrustations of mixed carbonatic and silicatic nature were found on the surface of the tesserae: silicatic components were also found in the upper layers of the tesserae. One explanation is that a reaction involving solution and re-precipitation occurred between the calcium carbonate of the mosaic fragment and the pozzolanic sands present in the Baia area, during the centuries the tesserae remained submerged under the sea.