Characterization of Late Prehistoric Plasters and Mortars from Erimi – Laonin tou Porakou (Limassol, Cyprus)

Abstract

Several plasters and mortars from the Middle Bronze Age site of Erimi – Laonin tou Porakou (Cyprus) were analysed in order to perform a technological characterization. Morphological (SEM), elemental (EDX), mineralogical (XRPD), petrographic (polarized OM, SEM–EDX), thermal (TGA) and spectroscopic (FT–IR) techniques were applied. Plasters and mortars were identified as pyrotechnological lime products, obtained using local raw materials and containing a moderate amount of spathic calcite fragments. The use of organic fibres was ascertained and a seminal use of a crumbled ceramic as additive was evidenced.

Phoenician lime for Phoenician wine: Iron Age plaster from a wine press at Tell el-Burak, Lebanon

“…The addition of grog enhanced the mechanical properties of the lime plaster by increasing its stiffness and reducing shrinkage-related cracking around the aggregates (Tesárek et al . 2014: 293; Turco et al 2016: 294). Grog-tempering therefore represents a technological choice linked to the production of a high-quality, hydraulic lime plaster.…”

“…The μ-XRD 2 analysis of the binder (Figure 9) indicates the presence of fine crystalline calcite, without a significant amount of other crystalline phases (Turco et al 2016: 291). Only quartz has been detected in some measurements, but it is probably part of the finest fraction of the aggregates, rather than of the binder.…”

“…Nevertheless, these mineral phases—through drying and ageing processes—re-carbonated to calcite by absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide. The reformed fine crystalline calcite (CaCO 3 ) is indistinguishable from the calcite of the original limestone (Turco et al 2016). In contrast, the presence of calcite lumps (Figure 8a) and reacted, fine crystalline calcite groundmass, observed in thin section of sample SA16, support the interpretation of a lime-based plaster (Karkanas 2007: 794).…”

“…Additionally, the two other plastered structures (of still uncertain function) are also considered here, in order to provide useful comparative data and to gain a clearer understanding of the selection and processing of raw materials for plaster production and its technological and archaeological implications. Although the study of plaster—particularly lime-based plaster—is well represented in the recent literature (Karkanas 2007; Regev et al 2010; Turco et al 2016), almost no archaeometric studies have addressed the characterisation of plaster from Levantine wine presses. This research therefore serves as a reference point for future investigations of similar installations throughout the Mediterranean.…”

Characterisation of Czech Modern Mosaic Mortars

“…Lime mortars with crushed bricks or ceramics were used as early as in the 3 rd millennium BC [22] and became wide-spread especially in Roman and early Byzantine civil engineering [23], [24]. Since earliest times, ancient builders were aware of the strengthening effect of pozzolanic materials [25].…”