At Brauron (Vraona or Vravrona) area, E. Attica, near the Brauron bay, by the Erasinos river there is an ancient monument of 415 B.C., dedicated to Artemis. The building material used for the construction of the monument is sandstone originated from Neogene sedimentary deposits. The ancient quarries are located 500m away from the monument and traces of quarring are still visible. Monument ruins had been buried under the mud load curried by Erasinos river for many centuries. During the restoration works of the Temple of Artemis besides the stone found in situ, new material provided by the same formation was as well, used. The restored monument stones display intensive deterioration. The purpose of this paper is to study of the decay forms and investigate the decay causes of the building stone in the monument. The decay forms result from intrinsic (endogenic) and environmental factors. The main endogenic factors of decay of the sandstone used as building material, are: a) the high porosity, and the pore size distribution, b) the calcite cement of the stone c) the mineralogical composition, especially the presence of swelling clay minerals. The main environmental factors of decay that result to the calcite and salt crystallization are a) the burial of the ancient building stones, in the brackish water-mud, for centuries b) the frequent floods and possible pollution of the nearby Erasinos river c) the acid rain and aerosol attack d) the bioteterioration. The conclusions of this case study may have application on other monuments of historical interest, in similar environment
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.