New compositional data on ancient mortars and plasters from Pompeii (Campania – Southern Italy): Archaeometric results and considerations about their time evolution

Miriello, Domenico; Bloise, Andrea; Crisci, Gino Mirocle; Luca, Raffaella De; Nigris, Bruno De; Martellone, Alberta; Osanna, Massimo; Pace, Rossella; Pecci, Alessandra; Ruggieri, Nicola

doi:10.1016/j.matchar.2018.09.046

Cited by 36 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The study showed that the archaeometric analyses of the architectural earthenwares not only contribute to define the evolution of these architectural manufacturing techniques, but also provide valuable insights on how to determine the construction phases of ancient buildings in the absence of joint mortars [73][74][75][76][77].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Archaeometric Approach for Studying Architectural Earthenwares from the Archaeological Site of S. Omobono (Rome-Italy)

et al. 2019

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This paper reports the findings of an archaeometric study performed on 14 architectural earthenwares from the archaeological site of S. Omobono, located in the historic center of Rome (Italy). The archaeological site, accidentally discovered in 1937, includes the remains of a sacred area previously occupied by two temples, one of which was converted into the church of S. Omobono, in 1575. The samples, dated between the 7th and the 6th century BC, belong to different sectors of the site. Their petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical characterization was performed by optical microscopy (OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA), and Raman spectroscopy (RS). The compositional data obtained were also subjected to the principal component analysis (PCA) in order to highlight similarities and differences among the samples. By combining geochemical and petrographic data, we were able to identify several different fabrics. Furthermore, the study provided valuable information on the firing temperatures of some samples and the provenance of the raw materials, by analyzing the chemical composition of clinopyroxenes present as non-plastic inclusions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Archaeometric Approach for Studying Architectural Earthenwares from the Archaeological Site of S. Omobono (Rome-Italy)

et al. 2019

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“…The choice for the selection of raw materials and mix design in this research was based on compatibility requirements with archaeological materials. Studies on ancient Roman building techniques and specific compositional analyses of archaeological mortars from Pompeii found that mortars were mainly composed of almost pure lime putty produced on-site and local volcanic aggregates [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. Based on those findings, a commercial lime putty CL90-S type was selected for this work, since it ensured the least amount of impurity possible compared to the other commercially available types.…”

Section: Raw Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They found that these materials were mainly composed of aerial lime as a binder (i.e. lime putty) and local volcanic aggregates, sometimes with crushed ceramics, limestone sand or marble powder [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28], while the mechanical properties of such materials nowadays are still poorly studied [29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental analysis of lime putty and pozzolan-based mortar for interventions in archaeological sites

et al. 2021

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The study aims at defining and characterizing a specific restoration mortar for archaeological masonry structures made with traditional materials and to assess the suitability of the mixture compared to other mortars; such a goal is crucial to develop and define interventions in the archaeological sites. The mixture was defined to ensure compatibility with ancient materials and following frequently adopted recommendations at the site, specifically by using: (1) raw materials as similar as possible to the ancient ones; (2) traditional mix design. Therefore, the mixture was made with commercial lime putty CL 90-S type and natural Phlegrean pozzolan, i.e. volcanoclastic material collected from the volcanic area located in the West of Naples in Italy. The precious and limitedly available natural pozzolan used in the experiments resulted in an exclusive mortar which is very similar to the archaeological ones. The mortar has a binder to aggregate ratio 1:3 by volume, according to traditional techniques typically encountered in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii and Vesuvius surrounding area. The evolution of the flexural and compressive strength, elastic modulus, bulk density, open porosity and ultrasonic pulse velocity has been monitored for up to 200 days, based on standard procedures. Moreover, the hardening process was monitored with Differential Thermal Analysis up to 90 days, through the evaluation of phase transitions associated with dehydroxylation and decarboxylation, considering different depths from the external surface of the mortar. The achieved mechanical properties were compatible with those of lime-based mixtures for repair interventions of ancient masonry structures. Moreover, the mortar was found to be well-suited to mitigate cracking, showing a low ratio between its stiffness and load capacity compared to other typologies of mortars used for masonry restoration. Ultrasonic pulse velocity test proved to be a reasonable complementary method to monitor the evolution of the hardened properties of the mortar. Carbonation was found to be still progressing at 90 days. The data presented provide useful and reliable information to approach the complex process of restoration in archeological sites.

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“…The study of mortars offers clues about raw materials and their provenance as well as on the manufacturing technology [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. The characteristics of the mortars can be used to determine the chronological sequences of the construction [18][19][20][21] and they can be used for building dating [22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. Mortars also provide keys to restoration and conservation issues [29][30][31][32][33] and for the formulation of new composite materials [34][35][36][37][38][39].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Compositional Characterization and Chronology of Roman Mortars from the Archaeological Site of Arroyo De La Dehesa De Velasco (Burgo De Osma- Ciudad De Osma, Soria, Spain)

et al. 2020

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This study characterises the mortar materials used in the construction of walls and floors at the Arroyo de la Dehesa de Velasco site, located near the Roman city of Uxama Argaela (the modern Burgo de Osma—Ciudad de Osma, Soria, Spain). Multilayer mortars have been characterised by petrographic, mineralogical (X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive analyses and geochemical analysis (X-ray fluorescence). Additionally, radiocarbon dating of the mortar binder fraction was performed in order to establish the chronology of the building in the absence of other archaeological chronological records. The results showed that similar siliceous aggregates and lime binders were used in the fabrication of multilayer system mortars. Some multilayer wall mortars show ceramic fragments or brick powder to produce hydraulic mortars and improve the resistance to moisture. The raw materials used for the construction of the site were of local origin and the construction was built during the first century BC, according to radiocarbon dating.

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New compositional data on ancient mortars and plasters from Pompeii (Campania – Southern Italy): Archaeometric results and considerations about their time evolution

Cited by 36 publications

References 31 publications

Archaeometric Approach for Studying Architectural Earthenwares from the Archaeological Site of S. Omobono (Rome-Italy)

Archaeometric Approach for Studying Architectural Earthenwares from the Archaeological Site of S. Omobono (Rome-Italy)

Experimental analysis of lime putty and pozzolan-based mortar for interventions in archaeological sites

Compositional Characterization and Chronology of Roman Mortars from the Archaeological Site of Arroyo De La Dehesa De Velasco (Burgo De Osma- Ciudad De Osma, Soria, Spain)

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