Studies of Composite Protective Coatings of an Ancient Ship from Phanagoria (1st Century BC)
摘要
Samples of the internal and external coatings of the hull of a warship that sank in the seaport of Phanagoria (modern Taman Bay) in the 1st century BC are studied. As a result of the application of a complex of complementary natural-science methods (optical microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, gas chromatography with mass-selective detection), it is found that the internal wooden part of the ship was treated with a “mastic,” based on clay mixed with wool and down. The outer surface of the ship’s sheathing board was coated by realgar mixed with wax and pine resin. Thus the recipes used for the waterproofing, fireproofing, and bioprotection of warships used by sailors of the Pontic Kingdom more than 2000 years ago are presented.