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Thermal and phase analysis of Roman and Late Antiquity mortars from Bulgarian archaeological sites

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry volume 148, pages 1543–1555 (2023)Cite this article

Abstract

By using the methods of archaeological chemistry—thermal analysis, powder X-ray diffraction analysis, and Fourier transform infrared measurements, 13 mortar samples from the Roman age and Late Antiquity were investigated. The results of the investigation showed the phase composition and probable raw materials that were used. The defined composition, type, and properties of the mortars prove that the same production technology was used in both the Roman and Late Antiquity. The exponential dependence of temperature of the point of inflection (Tinfl) by mass loss (ML) of calcite decarbonation was found, specifying that the decrease in mortar structure homogeneity and compactness leads to a decrease in calcite decarbonation temperature. All studied samples were defined as non-hydraulic lime mortars without any hygroscopic properties. The samples are of different binder to aggregate (B/A) ratios, as no relation between the B/A ratio and the purpose of mortar use was established. The experimental results related to the geological setting of the area provide additional information about people's knowledge of the environment. The results obtained are of fundamental and practical use, helping a future archaeological interpretation.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the National Science Fund of Bulgaria under Grant KP-06-N39/9 (B.K., B.D, V.S). Special thanks go to Ms. Katerina Mihaylova for the language assistance.

Funding

National Science Fund of Bulgaria, Grant KP-06-N39/9.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Sciences, New Bulgarian University, 21 Montevideo Blvd., 1618, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Bilyana Kostova

  2. Department of Archaeology, New Bulgarian University, 21 Montevideo Blvd., 1618, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Boyan Dumanov

  3. University of Structural Engineering and Architecture “Lyuben Karavelov”, 175 Suhodolska Str., 1373, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Ventseslav Stoyanov

  4. Academy of the Faculty of Fire Safety and Civil Protection, 171 Pirotska Str., 1309, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Ventseslav Stoyanov

  5. Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography “Akad. Ivan Kostov”, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Academic Georgi Bonchev Str., Building 107, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Boris Shivachev

Authors
  1. Bilyana Kostova
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  2. Boyan Dumanov
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  4. Boris Shivachev
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Sample collection were performed by BD and BK. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by BK, BS and VS. The first draft of the manuscript was written by BK and BD and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Bilyana Kostova.

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Kostova, B., Dumanov, B., Stoyanov, V. et al. Thermal and phase analysis of Roman and Late Antiquity mortars from Bulgarian archaeological sites. J Therm Anal Calorim 148, 1543–1555 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-022-11493-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-022-11493-3

Keywords

  • Roman and Late Antiquity mortars
  • Bulgarian archaeological sites
  • Archaeological chemistry
  • Thermal analysis