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)

Abstract

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.

Archaeological and Chemical Investigation on the High Imperial Mosaic Floor Mortars of the Domus Integrated in the Museum of Archaeology D. Diogo de Sousa, Braga, Portugal

“…The ANOVA 1-way analysis showed that the variables with significant statistical influence to define these two groups were Al 2 O 3 , K 2 O, SiO 2 , Ba, Cs, Ga, Nb, Rb, Sn (p = 0.00), MgO, Zr (p = 0.001), P 2 O 5 (p = 0.002), Ni (p = 0.003), Br, Sr (p = 0.006), Na 2 O (p = 0.007), and Fe 2 O 3 (p = 0.015). (20.7-35.9%), when compared with the same elements from other studies on roman mortars [8,10,37]. A study on Pompeii mortars [38] found low percentages of CaO (3.81%) and attributed this low content to the high content of volcanic rock fragments as well as to the to the chemical composition of the binder composed by a mixture of lime and clay.…”

Investigation of Ancient Wall Painting Fragments Discovered in the Roman Baths from Alburnus Maior by Complementary Non-Destructive Techniques

“…The iron-rich content registered for the coarse plaster layer (typically based on river sand and slaked lime [24]) can be considered a local adaptation and indicates the use of clay-rich materials within the matrix. As shown in previous studies [60,61], the mineralogical characteristic of the plasters can be related to the geographic location, and it can be used to identify the provenance of the raw materials used. We assumed that most of the construction materials used for the plasters coming from Alburnus Maior were obtained from local sources.…”

“…Given the fact that the ceramic findings and the wall painting fragments investigated in the current study belong to the exact chronological segment [5], it is possible that the same raw material source locations were used in both cases. As shown in previous studies [60,61], the mineralogical characteristic of the plasters can be related to the geographic location, and it can be used to identify the provenance of the raw materials used. We assumed that most of the construction materials used for the plasters coming from Alburnus Maior were obtained from local sources.…”

Characterization and Analysis of the Mortars in the Church of the Company of Jesus—Quito (Ecuador)

“…The characterization of these mortars could be used to validate the historical sequential chronology described. Thus, the mortars composition gave us the guidelines to restore and conservate [26] this asset and to evaluate future interventions on these constructive elements. It is worth mentioning that, since the construction of the temple until our days, the city of Quito has been affected by tectonics and earthquakes of great intensity, particularly the one of 1755 known as the "earthquake of Quito", which collapsed the novitiate cupola and its roofs and damaged the masonry of the central nave.…”

“…The characterization of these mortars could be used to validate the historical sequential chronology described. Thus, the mortars composition gave us the guidelines to restore and conservate [26] this asset and to evaluate future interventions on these constructive elements.…”