Radiocarbon dating of lumps of not completely mixed lime contained in old constructions: the sampling problem

Title: Radiocarbon dating of lumps of not completely mixed lime contained in old constructions: the sampling problem
Author(s): G.L.A. Pesce
Paper category : conference
Book title: 2nd Conference on Historic Mortars - HMC 2010 and RILEM TC 203-RHM final workshop
Editor(s): J. Válek, C. Groot and J.J. Hughes
Print-ISBN: None
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-112-4
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2010
Pages: 301 - 308
Total Pages: 8
Nb references: 12
Language: English

Abstract: This paper deals with the technical and methodological sampling problems of lumps of not completely mixed lime putty in mixtures, in order to obtain a suitable material for the radiocarbon dating of mortars and plasters. Sampling of this type of lumps, in fact, allows us to be able to use a suitable material for the radiocarbon dating of lime mixtures (e.g. mortars, plasters, lime bed of mosaics, frescos paintings, etc.) because in this way it is possible to avoid the contamination problems deriving from sources of carbon such as the "14Cdead" of limestone sand or of not completely burned limestone. From an archaeological point of view, this sampling procedure gives the possibility to obtain an accurate radiocarbon dating for each piece of masonry considered without any considerable damage.

Online publication: 2010-10-25
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00