New dating approach based on the petrographical, mineralogical and chemical characterization of ancient lime mortar: case study of the archaeological site of Hippo, Annaba city, Algeria

Abstract

This work presents the results of a multidisciplinary study on the characterization of the composition of certain joint mortars from the ancient city of Hippo (Algeria), one of the most important North African cities in antiquity. Twenty mortar samples were analysed by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Their main physical properties, like solid and dry density and porosity, have been measured by geotechnical procedures. The typological observation by OM showed the existence of four types of sand used as aggregates that ranged from fine to coarse and were mixed with a white to russet natural lime binder. These mortars consisted mainly of mixtures of calcite and rock fragments, and sometimes pieces of red tile. It was recognized that the origins of the natural granules were sands produced by marine erosion of the Edough Mountains. The analysis by XRPD and TGA indicates that the mortars consisted of a mixture of lime/aggregates of low to medium hydraulicity. The analysis of the main chemical components by XRF allowed for the confirmation of the dating of certain monuments and suggested a new dating for other monuments.

Multi-Analytical Analysis of Decorative Color Plasters from the Thracian Tomb near Alexandrovo, Bulgaria

“…The detection of potassium and sodium in the spectra of all of the fragments could be attributed to the presence of alkali feldspars, which are one of the main components of mortars [63][64][65].…”

Characterization of Historic Lime Mortars from the Arch of San Martin to Identify the Construction Phases of the City Wall of Burgos (Spain)

“…One of the main goals of architectural archaeology with regard to historic buildings is to provide information on construction phases and to reconstruct the chronology of buildings (e.g., [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]). However, this information is not always easy to obtain, as usually the construction information is scarce or historical documents are not available.…”

“…The archaeometric study of mortars provides information that allows us to understand the technologies used to make mortars in the past, to identify the raw materials and their provenance issues and to recognize the construction phases of a building [4,[9][10][11][12]. The study of old mortars also has an important role in formulating compatible mortars for restoration works [13][14][15][16][17][18].…”

Killjoy? Augustine on Pageantry

“…24 There seems to have been no stadium in Hippo Regius, but archaeological evidence suggests that the theater was just across the market from Augustine's Basilica. See Gheris (2023). Despite the government's aforementioned effort to prohibit amusements from competing with Christians' worship, pagan patrons often staged their pageants, games, and plays illicitly.…”