Ancient mortar production in Ostia, Italy : builders and their choices
The main objective of the research discussed in this thesis was to evaluate the methods and materials used by builders in ancient Ostia to produce mortar for masonry structures. The work was conducted with an eye toward understanding why the ancient builders selected specific materials and employed specific techniques. The research design included scientific investigations of mortar samples from selected structures in Ostia, all dated from brick stamp evidence to the 2nd century CE. The methods employed for this study included thin section petrography, modal analysis via point counting, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and image analysis. Results concluded the samples comprised lime binder and primarily volcanic tuff aggregates derived from the Colli Albani and Monti Sabatini volcanic districts. The selection of these aggregates was integral to mortar performance, as they contained alteration products that would have facilitated pozzolanic reactions during the production phase, greatly improving long term mortar performance and durability. Three distinct types of mortar representing unique mix designs were identified based on the material properties of the mortar samples and the dominant aggregate
Murgatroyd, Jennifer Leigh
Ostia (Italy)--Antiquities ; Roman ; Mortar--Analysis ; Building materials--Rome ; Petrology in archaeology
Ancient mortar production in Ostia, Italy : builders and their choices. The main objective of the research discussed in this thesis was to evaluate the methods and materials used by builders in ancient Ostia to produce mortar for masonry structures. The work was conducted with an eye toward understanding why the ancient builders selected specific materials and employed specific techniques. The research design included scientific investigations of mortar samples from selected structures in Ostia, all dated from brick stamp evidence to the 2nd century CE. The methods employed for this study included thin section petrography, modal analysis via point counting, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and image analysis. Results concluded the samples comprised lime binder and primarily volcanic tuff aggregates derived from the Colli Albani and Monti Sabatini volcanic districts. The selection of these aggregates was integral to mortar performance, as they contained alteration products that would have facilitated pozzolanic reactions during the production phase, greatly improving long term mortar performance and durability. Three distinct types of mortar representing unique mix designs were identified based on the material properties of the mortar samples and the dominant aggregate
ancient mortar production italy builder choice main_objective discuss evaluate method material use builder ancient produce mortar masonry structure work conduct eye toward ancient builder select specific material employ specific technique design include scientific investigation mortar sample select structure date brick stamp evidence method_employ study include thin_section_petrography modal analysis via point scan_electron_microscopy x_ray diffraction image_analysis conclude sample comprise lime primarily aggregate derive district selection aggregate integral mortar performance contain alteration product would facilitate reaction production phase greatly improve long_term mortar performance durability three_distinct type mortar represent unique mix design identify base material_property mortar sample dominant aggregate