Analysis of Building Stone of the Medieval Historical Building (original) (raw)
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Applied geology in analytical characterization of stone materials from historical building
Applied Physics A, 2007
Investigations of the provenance and technology of ancient materials are an important part of archaeological research. Studies of the geology of a region combined with petrographic research and chemical analysis may allow one to establish a possible source of raw-materials used. They also enable selection of the materials from currently accessible sources in the process of renovation or reconstruction of buildings [1-3]. Until now, the authors have carried out the studies in order to determine provenance of the raw-materials, the detailed analysis of composition (for the stone materials from Romanesque buildings in South Wielkopolska-Poland, and from ancient ruins in northern Israel and northern Egypt. Petrographic analysis (macro-and microscopic observations), cathodoluminescence (CL), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and stable isotopes analysis have been applied. In the next step, the detailed composition analysis enables, in the case of mortars, selection of suitable samples for dating [4, 9] and to determine the age of a given object, either directly by absolute dating (e.g. 14 C of lime mortars) or indirectly, by relative age estimation on the basis of finds and artifacts (their components and characteristic style for a specific period).
MATEC Web of Conferences
A good knowledge of chemical properties, thermophysical and petrophysical parameters, makes it possible to understand the mechanisms of alteration of historical monuments, and to predict solutions limiting their evolution. The main objective of this work is chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry on calcarenite stones, often used as a building material for historical monuments of Rabat (Morocco), in order to identify the nature of the rock. The elemental chemical composition shows high concentrations of CaO and SiO2, which confirms that the main phases of the calcarenite rock studied are calcite and quartz. These are the characteristic minerals of calcareous rocks.
2022 IMEKO TC-4 International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage University of Calabria, Italy, October 19-21, 2022, 2022
This work deals with the study of sixteen samples of natural and artificial stone materials taken from the medieval Castle of Condojanni in Sant'Ilario dello Jonio (Reggio Calabria, Southern Italy). Samples were studied using different analytical methods (Polarized Light Microscopy, X-ray Powder Diffraction; X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry and Energy Dispersion Microanalysis by Scanning Electron Microscope) in order to characterize their chemical, mineralogical and petrographic nature. The collected data allowed us to highlight similarities and differences among the samples, confirming the archaeological data, and to hypothesize the provenance of the limestones used for the production of the lime. In addition, the characterization of the samples was helpful to propose compatible stone materials for the restoration phase of the Castle.
Periodico di Mineralogia, 2014
Ostuni Cathedral represents an outstanding example of the monumental sacred architecture spread in Apulia (southern Italy) during the Middle Ages. The church dates back to the 15 th century and combines the local Romanesque tradition with Gothic stylistic features and elements of Dalmatian, Venetian and Arabic architecture. Between 2006 and 2007, a conservative restoration was carried out on the Cathedral. The operations mainly concerned the masonry, which is built of a local stone material known as "Pietra gentile", a soft and porous calcarenite with an excellent workability and carvability. This research aims at characterizing the stone used in the monument and its state of conservation. For this goal, onsite macroscopic observations were integrated with sample analyses by means of optical microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy equipped with microanalysis. In this way, the petrographic classification of the used lithotype and the chemico-mineralogical characterization of its alteration products were carried out. Finally, structural diagnostics of the masonry was performed, through on-site non-destructive ultrasonic and sclerometric tests. The results presented allow evaluating, only few years after the latest restorations, the weathering kinetics and durability of the building stone, with a particular highlight on its short-term modifications. The main alterations detected, i.e. black crusts, salt crusts, oxalate patinas and discolorations, are produced by cyclic weathering or previous conservative treatments; moreover, several patterns of physical decay are observable, alveolization and differential erosion principally, which highly affect the technical performance of the stone. These data supply further information about a material that has been studied only recently in archaeometry, although very significant in Apulia from a cultural point of view.
Italian Journal of Geosciences, 2018
This paper aims to study the geomaterials of the most important Romanesque-style monument of Sardinia, the Santissima Trinità di Saccargia Basilica (Codrongianos, north Sardinia). The monument was built up on ruins of a pre-existing monastery, and completed in 1116 A.D. Over time, the aspect of the monument is quite changed due to two series of restoration works. The stone materials consist of both grey-black basalts and whitish limestones and marls, intentionally used to give a bichromy effect of the construction. The volcanic rocks belong to the Miocene-Pleistocene volcanic Sardinian activity, while limestones and marls belong to the sedimentary marine Miocene Formation of Meilogu (Logudoro). To define both the origin and the alteration processes of materials, geochemical, petrographic and physical-mechanical investigations of volcanic and sedimentary rocks were carried out on samples collected from monument and possible source outcrops. The integrated chemical (ICP-MS) and petrographic data allowed to ascertain the sourcing sites of raw materials. Moreover, physical-mechanical tests along with X-Ray Diffraction (XRPD) analysis, highlighted the main weathering processes responsible of the chemical-physical alteration affecting the geomaterials, and the newly-formed mineral phases formed on stone surface.
In this paper, we use a set of methods applied for geosciences to reveal the provenance of raw materials and historical aspects of technology of lime production from the post-Cistercian church (southwestern Poland). Two types of building stones (mica schists and sandstones) and two groups of mortars, related with two different construction phases (Gothic and Baroque), were used for construction of the church façade. Principal difference between binding materials involves the presence of Mg-rich phase within Baroque mortars as a result of carbonation of a dolomitic lime whereas Gothic mortars are devoid of hydromagnesite. Mineral composition of the fillers of both mortars is similar, suggesting the same origin represented by local eluvium. Binders of studied mortars are composed of calcite and/or hydromagnesite and rich in lime lumps suggesting incomplete calcination. Studied mortars are weathered which is manifested by presence of gypsum. However, there is no evidence of commonly occurring Mg-rich secondary phases within Baroque mortar probably due to higher solubility of these salts comparing to gypsum. Mineralogical study combined with archeological and geological information enables us to indicate potential sources for the studied building materials. Metamorphic rocks, prevailing within the façade, come from abandoned quarries located in the closest vicinity of the church, whereas sandstones were acquired from the deposits located at a distance of tens of kilometers from the Kamieniec Ząbkowicki. Raw materials used for lime burning were gathered from Przeworno (Gothic mortars) and Złoty Stok area (Baroque mortars) located approximately 25–30 and 12 km from studied church.
Chemical and mineralogical analyses on stones from Sagunto Castle (Spain)
Reports is aimed at archaeologists and scientists engaged with the application of scientific techniques and methodologies to all areas of archaeology. The journal focuses on the results of the application of scientific methods to archaeological problems and debates. It will provide a forum for reviews and scientific debate of issues in scientific archaeology and their impact in the wider subject. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports will publish papers of excellent archaeological science, with regional or wider interest. This will include case studies, reviews and short papers where an established scientific technique sheds light on archaeological questions and debates.
Applied mineralogy in characterization of materials from the post-Cistertian Abbey in Lubiąż
This paper overviews the use of natural dimension stones, stuccoes and plasterworks in the post Cistercian Abbey complex in Lubiąż (syn. Leubus Abbey). It is a prestigious engineering work of Baroque architecture, with remnants of Romanesque and Gothic foundations, one of the largest sacral architectural complexes in the world. Geologists often contribute to solving specific questions in the field of archaeology, art history and conservation, and some problems related to renovation aspects cannot be solved without the assistance of applied sciences. Thus, the article provides some information of the so called ‘red nodular limestone’ and ‘Swedish limestone’, decorating the abbatial church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Additionally, a short characteristics of mineralogy of the stuccoes and plasters, related to their function, is presented.
Heritage, special issue Geosciences for Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, 2020
Ancient buildings are important components of the Italian Cultural Heritage and, since the Etruscan Period, Bologna (north-eastern Italy) has always been one of the most flourishing cities both culturally and economically in the Italian and European panorama. The Orsi-Marconi Palace in Bologna presents a monumental façade decorated with many sandstone ornaments of the 16th century. Different samples from different parts of the façade of the building were collected and firstly characterised by macroscopic observations to determine the structural aspect. A petro-mineralogical study on the surfaces of the samples was conducted using a stereomicroscope and Optical Transmitted Light Polarized Microscopy. In addition, X-Ray Fluorescence and X-Ray Powder Diffractometer analyses were carried out to better understand the mineralogical composition of the sandstone materials used and the degradation products from the façades of this historical building. The aim of this work was to better understand how to revalue the sandstone decorations severely affected by deterioration phenomena.