Investigation of Lead Clamps Used in Roman Period Buildings in the Ancient City of Anavarza With Pb Isotope Analysis

Abstract The ancient city of Anavarza is one of the most important cities of the Roman Period, established in the Cilicia region of Ovalık, within the borders of Anatolia. The center of the city is built on a land of approximately 4000 acres, on a plain with an altitude of 33 meters. The ancient city of Anavarza is divided into two parts: the lower city, surrounded by walls, and the upper city, built on the rocks. The Romans used clamps and iron to connect the columns and their capitals to each other. The clamping bars, which are curved at both ends, were added horizontally to the stone wall and inserted into the cavities created in the stone in order to strengthen the joined part, and the curved ends were covered with lead pouring. Bright section, SEM-EDX and Pb isotope analyzes were performed on the lead samples to determine the source of the lead used here. Primary galena mineral was detected in bright sections. According to EDX analysis results, 41.98 Pb, 15.48 O, 19.43 C, 13.66 Si, 4.45 Fe, 3.89 Al, 0.4 Co elements were detected. When comparing Pb isotope analyzes made from Pb-Zn deposits in regions close to the ancient city of Anavarza, it is thought that lead was supplied from the vicinity of Aladağ and Horzum, close to the region.