Technology of medieval mortars: an investigation into the use of organic additives

Rampazzi, Laura, Colombini, Maria Perla, Conti, Claudia, Corti, Cristina, Lluveras-Tenorio, Anna, Sansonetti, Antonio and Zanaboni, Marco (2016) Technology of medieval mortars: an investigation into the use of organic additives. Archaeometry (58). pp. 115-130. ISSN 1475-4754 [Article]

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Abstract (in English)

This work proposes a multi-analytical approach to determine the additives in historical mortars, the use of which is widely described in bibliographical sources, but has rarely been reported in the literature. A protocol to thoroughly analyse mortars was created (optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analyses and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry). These techniques had already been carried out on samples from various sites from the Roman to the modern era, finding that additives had only been used in the mortars from the internal masonry at our sampling site: the medieval military shipyard of Amalfi (Italy). The investigations yielded information on the production technology, and FT–IR and GC–MS revealed a saccharide material-based additive in the mortars, of plant origin. The FT–IR spectra suggested the presence of a natural gum, which has been used since ancient times to strengthen the cohesion properties of mortars and their resistance to tensile stress

Item Type:	Article
Authors:	Authors Email Rampazzi, Laura laura.rampazzi@uninsubria.it Colombini, Maria Perla UNSPECIFIED Conti, Claudia UNSPECIFIED Corti, Cristina UNSPECIFIED Lluveras-Tenorio, Anna UNSPECIFIED Sansonetti, Antonio UNSPECIFIED Zanaboni, Marco UNSPECIFIED
Languages:	English
Keywords:	medieval mortars; organic additives; infrared spectroscopy; thermal analysis; microscopic analyses; gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; mortar technology; building materials; mortars; analysis of materials; shipyards; military heritage; Italy
Subjects:	A. THEORETICAL AND GENERAL ASPECTS > 05. History of archaeology B. ARCHAEOLOGY > 06. Urban archaeological site C.ARCHITECTURE > 04. Building materials C.ARCHITECTURE > 05. Building techniques F.SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES AND METHODOLOGIES OF CONSERVATION > 09. Archaeometry F.SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES AND METHODOLOGIES OF CONSERVATION > 28. Infra red analysis F.SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES AND METHODOLOGIES OF CONSERVATION > 35. Mineralogical analysis F.SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES AND METHODOLOGIES OF CONSERVATION > 37. Petrographical analysis P. GEOGRAPHIC AREAS > 05. Europe
Name of monument, town, site, museum:	Amalfi Arsenale, Italy
Number:	58
ISSN:	1475-4754
Depositing User:	dr Laura Rampazzi
Date Deposited:	12 Feb 2018 09:33
Last Modified:	12 Feb 2018 09:33
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URI:	https://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/1865

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