Chemical and Microscopic Investigation of Ancient Mortar and Plaster from the Middle Elamite Period Tepti Ahar’s Vaulted Tomb, Southwestern Iran (original) (raw)
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Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer, petrography and X-ray diffraction analyses were employed to characterize the historic wall plasters from 17th century Shahdara's tomb, in Lahore (Pakistan). Three types of plaster layers corresponded to different functions and locations. The study focused on the nature, composition, texture and microstructural features of binder (lime) and aggregate (Kankar-carbonate fragments, brick pieces and slag) fractions to understand their technical and historical production. Results indicated that pozzolanic brick and slag fragments developed strong adhesion bonds with the binder, which enhanced the durability of the investigated plasters. These results would help in making materials with similar technical and compositional characteristics to set up a scientific plan for conservation and restoration purposes.
Characterization of Shahdara Tomb's wall plasters from Lahore, Pakistan
International Journal of Conservation Science, 2016
Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectrometer, petrography and X-ray diffraction analyses were employed to characterize the historic wall plasters from 17th century Shahdara’s tomb, in Lahore (Pakistan). Three types of plaster layers corresponded to different functions and locations. The study focused on the nature, composition, texture and microstructural features of binder (lime) and aggregate (Kankar-carbonate fragments, brick pieces and slag) fractions to understand their technical and historical production. Results indicated that pozzolanic brick and slag fragments developed strong adhesion bonds with the binder, which enhanced the durability of the investigated plasters. These results would help in making materials with similar technical and compositional characteristics to set up a scientific plan for conservation and restoration purposes.
Asian Journal of Chemistry, 2013
The 17th century Mughal mortar and plaster samples were collected from Akbari-Serai (Shahdara) in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. The samples were studied employing chemical, mineralogical and micro-structural techniques consisting of X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The mortars and plasters were based on calcitic lime binder prepared by the calcinations of locally available lime nodules (kankar-CaCO3) from soil horizon, differing in the type and proportion of aggregates used, including crushed bricks, broken kankar pieces, brick kiln furnace slag and a small fraction of siliceous sand. The results showed varying binder aggregate ratio and also indicated different chemical composition according to the function of mortars and plasters in the masonry unit.
Materials and Structures, 2015
The rock-cut tomb-chapel of Djehuty (Luxor, Egypt, 1470 B.C.) was excavated and restored including a mineralogical, chemical, textural and petrophysical study of mortars and host rocks together with micro-environmental parameter recordings to infer on the techniques used by the ancient Egyptian builders. The host rock is made by alternations of massive, nodular and finely bedded micritic limestone and the tomb was excavated in the stratigraphic section with better mechanical properties. Different types of gypsum and lime mortars were found in the funerary complex: mortar for bedding, exterior render, surface repair and decoration, and interior plaster and coating. Mortars show formulae according to their specific applications and locations. The sources of the mortar raw materials reveal a local provenance. Micro-environmental conditions play an important role in the evolution of the mortar pastes, and determine the current characteristics and stability of mortars. Results from this research will permit to design mortars compatible with conservation in the funerary complex of Djehuty and to define safe micro-environmental conditions for the preservation of such mortars and paintings.
Physico-chemical and petrographical studies of old mortars and plasters of Anatolia
Cement and Concrete Research, 1997
The problems which arise from the use of today mortars and plasters because of their easy applicability for restoration work do irreparable damage to the historical monument. Therefore the detailed scientific data are necessary in order to choose the right materials for restoration and also for the insttictions which will be followed during the conservation of monuments. In this study, the results of visual, sieve, porosity, thin section and X-ray diffraction analyses of mortars and plasters from Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman period of Anatolia are given. 0 1997
Journal of Cultural Heritage, 2018
This work presents the analytical results of the mortars and plasters characterization from Qasr Azraq, located in the city of Azraq (north-eastern Jordan). The castle has undergone several interventions and modifications during its service life; the archaeological surveys have shown that the actual building is a medieval reconstruction of a Roman fort, still reflecting the original structure. This research paper encompasses 64 samples from different historical periods and structures of the monument, aiming to reconstruct the timeline of different phases and to highlight technological choices. Conclusions are drawn on the basis of interpretation and integration of in situ observations, historical data and analytical data. The mortars were characterized following a multidisciplinary approach, combining macroscopic observation with petrographic examination, mineralogical analysis (XRD), microstructural and chemical analysis (SEM-EDS) and quasi-quantitative chemical analysis (pXRF) of mortar samples. Moreover, microstructural and mechanical properties of representative samples were studied. The results indicate the use of five different types of mortars, grouped based on composition and characteristics of binder and aggregates, ranging from pure lime mortars to hydraulic, gypsum-lime and earthen mortars. Overall, this paper contributes to the better understanding of building techniques and mortar production technology in the Near East during time.
Plasters : Gypsum or Calcite? A Preliminary Case Study of Syrian Plasters
Une série ďéchantillons d'enduits en provenance de sites des vallées de Balikh et de Khabour ont été soumis à analyse pour étude de leur composition. Les fragments ont été prélevés sur des éléments architecturaux divers (murs, fosses, sols, etc.) représentant des périodes différentes. L'analyse par diffractométrie montre que les échantillons en provenance de contextes néolithiques se composent principalement d'enduits, tandis que les échantillons datant de périodes ultérieures contiennent de la chaux, des enduits, ou un mélange des deux. Il est suggéré que cette differentiation peut s'expliquer par la proximité relative des matières premières aussi bien que par des considérations fonctionnelles.
Investigations of Hellenistic Mortar from Umm Qais (Gadara), Jordan
2018
Ancient mortars have been widely studied, in connection with both diagnosis and applications required for restoration. This study is primarily based on analyses of different mortar samples from a Hellenistic temple. The study was done by means of a polarizing microscope equipped for observations in transmitted and reflected light; and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were also used to confirm and supplement the microscopic data, and wet chemical analyses were performed on the acid filtrate for soluble oxides of Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, S, Na and K. Chemical and petrographic analysis were used to determine chemical composition and physical properties, which in turn provide an in-depth understanding of the structural behavior and durability characteristics as they relate to the composition. The results show that the plaster used was a lime-based mortar. The cementing binder was a lime (identified by spot test) with foss...
4 th Historic Mortars Conference, HMC2016, 2016
A comprehensive study of Egyptian New Kingdom period (c. 1570-1070 BCE) decorated plasters was undertaken as part of a collaborative project between the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) and Egypt’s Ministry of State for Antiquities (MSA) for the conservation of the tombs in the Valley of Queens. The study focused on identifying the material composition of historic plasters and understanding their current mechanical properties in order to develop compatible repair materials for stabilizing surviving areas of tomb paintings. The plasters that cover the walls and ceilings of tombs in the Valley of the Queens were found to be primarily earth-based, made from a readily available calcitic soil deposit at the foot of the Theban Mountains, known locally as hiba . This material, composed of calcite with clays (smectite, sepiolite and palygorskite), dolomite and/or ankerite, anhydrite, and quartz, could be used on its own mixed with water or with the addition of other materials such as clay, sand, plant fibers or gypsum to modify its properties. This paper describes the challenges in investigating these plasters: in particular, looking at analytical methods considered including microchemical tests, ESEM mapping, particle size analysis, and thin-sections. The goal of the paper is to highlight the problems that were encountered during testing and the difficulties found in the interpretation of data. Also discussed is the selection of specific analytical methods and the modification of existing techniques to better suit the particularities of the earthen materials that make up these plasters.
Mineralogical and Microstructural Analysis of Mortars from Kushite Archaeological Sites
Historic Mortars, 2012
This paper presents the XRD, XRF and porosimetry analyses and SEM-EDX observations of nine mortars: three Egyptian plasters (New Kingdom, 15 th-11 th century BC) and six Meroitic mortars (1 st century AD) collected on temples, palace and pyramids in archaeological sites located between the Third and Fourth Cataract. The two first Egyptian samples were mainly composed of gypsum plaster. The third one and a binding mortar collected on a Meroitic pyramid were composed of siliceous sand bound by about 30% kaolinite-rich clay. A coating mortar collected on another Meroitic pyramid, probably highly lixiviated, had a similar composition with only 11% clay. The other Meroitic samples appeared as conventional fully carbonated lime-sand mortars. The compositions of the decorative surface layers varied from clay to lime or lime-and-gypsum, in the form of painting or applied as fresco. This extreme diversity of compositions observed is particularly interesting from an archaeological point of view. The knowledge of the various techniques used enables us to have a better understanding of foreign influences on building workers in ancient North Sudan.