Analysis of mortar samples from the Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus at Umm as-Surab (Jordan)

Author(s): Piero Gilento, Cecilia Pesce, Giovanni Pesce
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the 5th Historic Mortars Conference
Editor(s): José Ignacio Álvarez, José María Fernández, Íńigo Navarro, Adrián Durán, Rafael Sirera
ISBN: 978-2-35158-221-3
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-222-0
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2019
Pages: 713-726
Total Pages: 14
Language : English

Abstract: This study presents the results of some XRD and SEM analyses carried out on mortar samples
from the church of the SS. Sergius and Bacchus, in the village of Umm as-Surab, Northern
Jordan. The analysis aimed at providing useful information on the building materials and
technologies used in the construction of the church and adjacent rooms. Building
archaeology methods and techniques were used to highlighting the complex stratigraphy of
the remains and, in such context, the analyses allowed a detailed investigation of the
differences between the various parts of the complex. Results suggest that during the
Byzantine period mortars were produced using lime as a binder, whereas during the Islamic
period mortars with decorative function were produced using a mixture of lime and gypsum
as a binder. These information allow a more precise investigation of the chronology of the
building and contributes to broaden our knowledge of the material culture in the Ḥawrān
region.

Online publication : 2019
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00