Technology and decay of magnesian lime plasters: the sculptures of the funerary crypt of Palenque, Mexico

Villaseñor, Isabel Beltrá; Price, Clifford

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2007.07.006

Cited by 19 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Additionally, brucite is observed in plaster but not in rocks, this is evidence of burnt lime from magnesian-rich carbonate rocks. Brucite is associated as incidental mineral with crystalline carbonate rocks (Deer et al, 1992), but in the present analysis was not observed in rocks from the Tenejapa strata, brucite may also be an alteration mineral occurs in plaster as was noted by Villaseñor and Price, 2008. Likely brucite causes cracks and mechanical stress observed in the lime matrix of plaster and mortars (Lee et al, 2002).…”

Section: Wdx Multielemental Testing and Mappingmentioning

confidence: 46%

Calcareous fossil inclusions and rock-source of Maya lime plaster from the Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque, Mexico

Riquelme

Alvarado‐Ortega

Cuevas-García

et al. 2012

Journal of Archaeological Science

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Section: Wdx Multielemental Testing and Mappingmentioning

confidence: 46%

Calcareous fossil inclusions and rock-source of Maya lime plaster from the Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque, Mexico

Riquelme

Alvarado‐Ortega

Cuevas-García

et al. 2012

Journal of Archaeological Science

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“…4c and 4d). Hydromagnesite has also been identified in calcitic and magnesian limes from sculptures located in a funerary crypt with a permanent dampness and constant water seepage environment (Villaseñor and Price 2008). These authors found a relationship between the crystallization of hydromagnesite and the high shrinkage observed in the materials due to dehydration of hydrated magnesium carbonates.…”

Section: Mortar Samplesmentioning

confidence: 97%

Preservation strategies for avoidance of salt crystallisation in El Paular Monastery cloister, Madrid, Spain

et al. 2010

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The cloister from El Paular Monastery is highly affected by salt crystallization of Mg-sulfates and presence of chlorides and nitrates. In order to avoid salt crystallization, the consequent deterioration of building materials and to keep the stability of some significant paintings that will be exposed inside the cloister, after the characterization of building materials and salts, three preservation strategies has been established based on architectural, pethophysical and physical-chemical features.The main source of Mg-sulfate salts is the high concentration of moisture and raising damp by capillarity, especially through the mortars which are the most porous materials. The dissolution of gypsum (Casulfate) as component of the mortars and its interaction with magnesium from the mortars, granite and dolostone give rise to Mg-sulfates that migrate through the porous building materials. The installation of a ventilation system would avoid the rising damp and hence the dissolution, mobilization and crystallization of salts. The salt reduction of building materials have been performed with cellulose poultices with pores between 15-20 m and between 10 and 30 m diameter. The monomodal distribution and smaller pores of dolostone (1 and 3 m) and mortars (0.1 and 10 m) is the cause of the lesser effectiveness of salt reduction in these materials compared to the granite, with a polymodal pore size distribution and pores distributed in the range 100-300 m. A higher number of cellulose poultice applications could increase the efficiency of this desalination procedure. However, there is no a warrantee of the total extraction of salts and the mixture of this cellulose poultice with clays to shift the PSD to smaller sizes would be more efficient to desalinate dolostone or mortar. The most suitable environmental conditions, inferred from thermodynamic model predictions (Runsalt software) and experimental work based on relative humidity transfer inside the stone, predict that to avoid salt crystallization these values would be 17º±2ºC and 55±2% RH.However, if there are some failures in the ventilation system or in the environmental control we recommend keeping the paintings to be exposed on the walls of the cloister inside glass cases. This research represents both a practical and experimental work useful for conservation scientists and restorers involved in the field of preservation of monuments and environmental impact to avoid salt crystallization.

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“…As we did not find evidence of Mg carbonates (magnesite, dolomite), Mg hydrated carbonates or Mg hydroxyl carbonates in the samples of mortars and plaster analysed, we can argue that they are composed of calcic lime and that the residual material has not been likely used for their production. Nevertheless, it should be taken into consideration that the detection and identification of the minerals phase in low concentration (<5%) by XRD is difficult, particularly in dealing with complex matrices as mortars, and that peak of hydromagnesite is attenuated when calcite is present, being undetectable at concentrations below 20% [31,32].…”

Section: Scanning Electronmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Building Materials Belonging to the Ruins of the Tsogt Palace in Mongolia

et al. 2021

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This work focuses on the characterisation of the heritage building materials (plasters, mortars, bricks and glazed tiles) of the Tsogt Palace’s ruins located in the Bulgan Province of Mongolia. In addition, contribution is also given to a preliminary evaluation of their state of conservation in consideration of the climate conditions to which the site is exposed. To accomplish the objectives, information on the climate and historical context have been acquired. A set of analytical methodologies has been applied on the seventeen samples collected: Polarized Light (PLM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-Ray Diffraction (XRPD), Raman Spectroscopy and Ion Chromatography (IC). The data obtained allowed us to achieve a mineralogical and petrographic characterisation of the samples, underlining the nature of the binder in mortars and plasters, the type of clay used as raw material for bricks and tile, their hypothetical firing temperature and the aggregate composition. Moreover, it was also possible to identify the colouring coating typology in tiles and their process of production. Regarding the state of conservation, the principal deterioration phenomena affecting the site due to environmental impact can be also hypothesised, even though major studies are necessary for an exhaustive assessment.

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Technology and decay of magnesian lime plasters: the sculptures of the funerary crypt of Palenque, Mexico

Cited by 19 publications

References 32 publications

Calcareous fossil inclusions and rock-source of Maya lime plaster from the Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque, Mexico

Calcareous fossil inclusions and rock-source of Maya lime plaster from the Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque, Mexico

Preservation strategies for avoidance of salt crystallisation in El Paular Monastery cloister, Madrid, Spain

Investigation of Building Materials Belonging to the Ruins of the Tsogt Palace in Mongolia

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