Mining Exploration, Raw Materials and Production Technologies of Mortars in the Different Civilization Periods in Menorca Island (Spain)
This study deals with the mortars and subordinately rocks collected from the archaeological site of Cap de Forma, that is a “Bien de Interés Cultural” located on a cape along the southeastern coast of Menorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). Cap de Forma consists of different structures belonging to diffe...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/12/2/218 |
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| author | Stefano Columbu Anna Depalmas Giovanni Brodu Gianni Gallello Dario Fancello |
| author_facet | Stefano Columbu Anna Depalmas Giovanni Brodu Gianni Gallello Dario Fancello |
| author_sort | Stefano Columbu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study deals with the mortars and subordinately rocks collected from the archaeological site of Cap de Forma, that is a “Bien de Interés Cultural” located on a cape along the southeastern coast of Menorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). Cap de Forma consists of different structures belonging to different periods and civilization phases: a fortified settlement of Talaiotic age, built in cyclopean technique and including three rooms and a rainwater cistern; a nearby necropolis of tombs (<i>cuevas</i>) excavated into the cliff; a more recent site occupancy testified by plastering of the cistern; a <i>house-fort</i> (<i>pecheña casa-quartel</i>), a lookout point of the 17th–18th century. Compositional features and mineralogy of mortars and rocks were investigated by optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Physical properties (density, porosity, water saturation and water saturation coefficients and mechanical strength) were also determined. This work is aimed at characterizing these archaeologic remains to understand the building technique, the choice of raw materials and possibly their provenance, taking into account the age and civilization they belong to. Results indicate that cocciopesto-rich mortars were used in the cistern watertight and other ancient structures linking from a Roman age. The cocciopesto seems to derive from local pottery even if some evidence would suggest the contrary, whereas the source of the binder is definitely the local Mg-rich limestone. The <i>house-fort</i> was plastered with gypsum-based mortars in the 17th–18th century. The most likely source of raw gypsum was the island of Mallorca where some quarries were opened in the same period. Mechanical and physical tests reveal a strong state of decay that requires conservation actions. This work sheds light on a poorly studied monument, better constraining the different phases of its occupation. Some interesting questions, such as the cocciopesto provenance, are still open. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:22:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e20998c1220d4189b92c85d13857bac8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:22:10Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-e20998c1220d4189b92c85d13857bac82023-11-23T21:18:42ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2022-02-0112221810.3390/min12020218Mining Exploration, Raw Materials and Production Technologies of Mortars in the Different Civilization Periods in Menorca Island (Spain)Stefano Columbu0Anna Depalmas1Giovanni Brodu2Gianni Gallello3Dario Fancello4Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, Cagliari University, Cittadella Universitaria of Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, ItalyDepartment of Humanities and Social Sciences, Sassari University, Via Roma 51, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Chemical and Geological Sciences, Cagliari University, Cittadella Universitaria of Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, ItalyDepartment of Prehistory, Archaeology and Ancient History, Valencia University, Av. Blasco Ibáñez 28, 46010 Valencia, SpainDepartment of Chemical and Geological Sciences, Cagliari University, Cittadella Universitaria of Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, ItalyThis study deals with the mortars and subordinately rocks collected from the archaeological site of Cap de Forma, that is a “Bien de Interés Cultural” located on a cape along the southeastern coast of Menorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). Cap de Forma consists of different structures belonging to different periods and civilization phases: a fortified settlement of Talaiotic age, built in cyclopean technique and including three rooms and a rainwater cistern; a nearby necropolis of tombs (<i>cuevas</i>) excavated into the cliff; a more recent site occupancy testified by plastering of the cistern; a <i>house-fort</i> (<i>pecheña casa-quartel</i>), a lookout point of the 17th–18th century. Compositional features and mineralogy of mortars and rocks were investigated by optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Physical properties (density, porosity, water saturation and water saturation coefficients and mechanical strength) were also determined. This work is aimed at characterizing these archaeologic remains to understand the building technique, the choice of raw materials and possibly their provenance, taking into account the age and civilization they belong to. Results indicate that cocciopesto-rich mortars were used in the cistern watertight and other ancient structures linking from a Roman age. The cocciopesto seems to derive from local pottery even if some evidence would suggest the contrary, whereas the source of the binder is definitely the local Mg-rich limestone. The <i>house-fort</i> was plastered with gypsum-based mortars in the 17th–18th century. The most likely source of raw gypsum was the island of Mallorca where some quarries were opened in the same period. Mechanical and physical tests reveal a strong state of decay that requires conservation actions. This work sheds light on a poorly studied monument, better constraining the different phases of its occupation. Some interesting questions, such as the cocciopesto provenance, are still open.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/12/2/218Menorca IslandCap de FormaTalaiotic cultureRoman cocciopesto mortarair lime mortargypsum mortar |
| spellingShingle | Stefano Columbu Anna Depalmas Giovanni Brodu Gianni Gallello Dario Fancello Mining Exploration, Raw Materials and Production Technologies of Mortars in the Different Civilization Periods in Menorca Island (Spain) Minerals Menorca Island Cap de Forma Talaiotic culture Roman cocciopesto mortar air lime mortar gypsum mortar |
| title | Mining Exploration, Raw Materials and Production Technologies of Mortars in the Different Civilization Periods in Menorca Island (Spain) |
| title_full | Mining Exploration, Raw Materials and Production Technologies of Mortars in the Different Civilization Periods in Menorca Island (Spain) |
| title_fullStr | Mining Exploration, Raw Materials and Production Technologies of Mortars in the Different Civilization Periods in Menorca Island (Spain) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mining Exploration, Raw Materials and Production Technologies of Mortars in the Different Civilization Periods in Menorca Island (Spain) |
| title_short | Mining Exploration, Raw Materials and Production Technologies of Mortars in the Different Civilization Periods in Menorca Island (Spain) |
| title_sort | mining exploration raw materials and production technologies of mortars in the different civilization periods in menorca island spain |
| topic | Menorca Island Cap de Forma Talaiotic culture Roman cocciopesto mortar air lime mortar gypsum mortar |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/12/2/218 |
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