Iron Age hydraulic plaster from Tell es-Safi/Gath, Israel (original) (raw)
Related papers
Radiocarbon, 2012
The Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) site of Yiftahel, Israel, contains abundant plaster floors. We surveyed the states of preservation of the plasters using an infrared spectroscopic assay that characterizes the extent of disorder of the atoms in the calcite crystal lattice. We identified the 3 best-preserved plaster samples that had disorder signatures most similar to modern plaster. We then studied the surface layers, fine-grained matrices, and large aggregates of these samples using micromorphology, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy, stable carbon and radiocarbon concentrations. Even though some of the plaster components have a geogenic appearance in micromorphology slides and in FTIR spectra, the 14C analyses show that all components were exposed to high temperatures and as a result were equilibrated with the 14C content of the atmosphere ~10,000 yr ago. This implies that the plasters at Yiftahel were produced entirely from heat-altered calcite. We also show that these...
Radiocarbon 54 (3-4) : 887-896
The Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) site of Yiftahel, Israel, contains abundant plaster floors. We surveyed the states of reservation of the plasters using an infrared spectroscopic assay that characterizes the extent of disorder of the atoms in the calcite crystal lattice. We identified the 3 best-preserved plaster samples that had disorder signatures most similar to modern plaster. We then studied the surface layers, fine-grained matrices, and large aggregates of these samples using micromorphology, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy, stable carbon and radiocarbon concentrations. Even though some of the plaster components have a geogenic appearance in micromorphology slides and in FTIR spectra, the 14C analyses show that all components were exposed to high temperatures and as a result were equilibrated with the 14C content of the atmosphere ~10,000 yr ago. This implies that the plasters at Yiftahel were produced entirely from heat-altered calcite. We also show that these plasters have undergone significant diagenesis. The plaster component with the most disordered atomic signature, and hence the most similar in this respect to modern plaster, did indeed produce a 14C date close to the expected age.
Dolomite in archaeological plaster: An FTIR study of the plaster floors at Neolithic Motza, Israel
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2023
Material studies of ancient plaster can provide invaluable information on pyro-technological advancements, living practices, stylistic preferences and possibly the cultural organization needed to produce the plaster. Past studies have established methods of analysis for calcite and gypsum-based plaster, but studies of dolomiterich plaster can be more complicated. In particular, the useful FTIR-based method for determining the structural organization of calcite, which differentiates pyrogenic and geological calcite, is hindered by the overlapping calcite and dolomite peaks. Therefore, a new FTIR-based calibration is presented for quantifying the dolomite percent of the carbonates. This was tested both on known mixtures and in comparison to XRD analyses of ancient plaster. Weighted mixtures of calcite and dolomite were used to demonstrate the problem that dolomite causes when using FTIR to study calcite’s structural order. Limits were established for when dolomite can be considered a small error versus when additional steps must be taken, such as a density separation step to separate disordered calcite from dolomite-rich samples. These methods were applied to a case study of red-painted plaster floors from PPNB Motza. Two types of plaster were found: the plaster preparation layers which contained large aggregates and, based on the new calibration, a high percent of dolomite and some sediment, while the finishing topcoat was almost pure calcite with finer aggregates. The same technology persisted across the examined PPNB building phases. Additional examination by light microscopy was able to clarify the outlier results and provide possible insight on the use of a sunken floor or basin. These methods can now be applied for comparison studies of plaster across sites and time periods, and could also be useful in geological studies where mixtures of calcite and dolomite are present.
Plasters of the Late Chalcolithic 3-4 (3800-3400 BCE) from the site of Arslantepe. A contribution to the analysis of architectural techniques and practices, 2019
A multi-analytical approach focus on the archaeometric characterization of plaster from temple C, and two elite houses belong to the late chalcolithic 3-4 (3800-3400 B.C), period VII in Arslantepe – Turkey, a site located in the Malatya plain, 5 km away from the city center and 15 km away from the Euphrates right bank, is done using three different methods: optical microscopy (OM) in thin section under polarizing microscopy to define petrographic features in terms of plaster fabric texture and structure as well as the type, percentage, ratio grain size and distribution of the added aggregate and inclusions Micro-morphological analysis has been carried out by Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to define the fabric , inclusions and the secondary product in the pores . a mineralogical analysis by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) has been carried out also to identify the quantitative and qualitative mineralogical composition of the samples. In a result a marly limestone has been determine as a plaster raw material which probably came from two different source (local and other imported from different part of Malatya plain). Moreover, different aggregate selection, and diffirent technological levels were also detected in the samples, that are probably related to the level or the purpose (function) of the buildings. An evidence of a re-plastering process was also detected in the two elite houses, which probably refer to a routine maintenance process.