Ceramic petrography, mineralogy and typology of Eneolithic pottery from Krašnja, Slovenia

In this article, we present newly excavated Eneolithic pottery from the site at Krašnja near Lukovica in central Slovenia. The material was AMS 14C dated and is contemporaneous with archaeological sites from the Ljubljansko barje region in Slovenia. The vessels were reconstructed and then various types of pots, dishes, cups, and beakers were analysed using petrography and the X-ray diffraction method. Additionally, the clay remains of walls and the floor of an Eneolithic kiln excavated at the site were also analysed. The results show that Eneolithic potters used different fab- rics to make vessels, and mostly one recipe with added calcite. The raw source material probably came from a nearby valley to the south of the site at Krašnja.V članku predstavljamo eneolitsko lončenino z novoodkritega najdišča Krašnja pri Lukovici v osrednji Sloveniji. Najdišče je bilo AMS 14C datirano in je sočasno z najdišči iz območja Ljubljanskega barja. Lončenino smo lahko rekonstruirali v različne tipe posod, med drugim lonce, sklede, skodelice in čaše, ki smo jih nato preiskali še s petrografsko metodo in metodo rentgenske difrakcije. Dodatno smo preiskali tudi sledove glinenih oblog stene in tal ene od dveh eneolitskih peči, ki smo jih odkrili na najdišču. Rezultati kažejo, da so lončarji v obdobju eneolitika uporabljali različne glinene mase za pripravo posod, vendar predvsem en lončarski recept z dodanim zdrobljenim kalcitom. Naravno surovino, glino, so morda nabirali v sosednji dolini, ki se nahaja južno od najdišča Krašnja

Deterioration of the black Drenov Grič limestone on historical monuments (Ljubljana, Slovenia)

The black limestone from Drenov Grič quarry (Central Slovenia) is considered one of the most beautiful Slovenian natural stones due to its typical color. The limestone was characterized from mineralogical, chemical, and petrophysical points of view. Furthermore, deterioration phenomena of the limestone from two monuments exposed to indoor and outdoor environments were studied. In situ investigation of two monuments by means of monument mapping has identified several types of deterioration phenomena, such as granular disintegration, flaking, crumbling, efflorescences, crusts, and the presence of microorganisms. Samples were characterized using Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-Ray Powder Diffraction Analysis (XRD), porosity accessible to water under vacuum, capillary absorption, Mercury porosimetry (MIP), and Ar-sorption. Although very low values of porosity of the fresh stone as well as slow capillary kinetics were determined, both monuments showed severe deterioration as a consequence of the transport and precipitation of soluble salts within the stone

Točnost in natančnost EDS analize pri prepoznavanju mineralov s kovinami v poliranih vzorcih in grobih delcih

Accuracy and precision of EDS analysis for identification of metal-bearing minerals in polished and rough particle sample

The use of SEM/EDS method in mineralogical analysis of ordinary chondritic meteorite

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersiveX-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) for determination of mineral phases according to their stoichiometry and assessment of mineral composition of ordinary chondritic meteorite. For the purposes of this study, H3 type ordinary chondritic meteorite Abbott was selected. SEM/EDS allows identification and characterisation of mineralphases, whose size is below the resolution of an optical microscope. Mineral phases in chondrules and interstitial matrix were located in backscattered electron (BSE) mode and were assessed from atomic proportions of constituent elements, obtained by the EDS analysis. SEM/EDS analyses of mineral phases showed that Abbott meteorite is characterised by Fe-rich (Fe, Ni)-alloy kamacite, Fe-sulphide troilite or pyrrhotite, chromite, Mg-rich olivine, orthopyroxene bronzite or hypersthene, clinopyroxene Al-diopside, acid plagioclase oligoclase, accessory mineral chlorapatite and secondary minerals Fe-hydroxides (goethite or lepidocrocite). Results of semi-quantitative analyses confirmed that most of analysed mineralphases conform well to stoichiometric minerals with minor deviations of oxygen from stoichiometric proportions. Comparison between mineral phases in chondrules and interstitial matrix was also performed, however it showed no significant differences in elemental composition.Differences in chemical composition between minerals in interstitial matrix and chondrules are sometimes too small to be discernedby the SEM/EDS, therefore knowledge of SEM/EDS capabilities is important for correct interpretation of chondrite formation

Geoconservation evaluation of the sites of Miocene sedimentary rocks in the quarries of north-eastern Slovenia

The article deals with the sites of Miocene sedimentary rocks in north-eastern Slovenia. Due to dense vegetation cover and consequently rare rock outcrops mostly abandoned quarries were elaborated. According to evaluation criteria defined by Nature Conservation Act and Decree on the categories of valuable natural features, out of 28 examined locations 6 were selected as important from the nature conservation point of view. These sites contain mainly the fossilferous lithothamnian limestone and they are proposed to be listed as valuable geological natural features. The quarries Osek – oolite limestone and sandstone site and Zgornji Duplek 1 –lithothamnian limestone siteare proposed as geological natural values of national importance. The lithothamnian rocks used to be importantbuilding stone. Nowadays we find it in some of important cultural monuments like castles, churches and other cultural monuments. In this respect some of the sites of Miocene sedimentary rocks have significant cultural value as well

Classification of stony meteorites and chondrules – the case of meteorite Jesenice

In the first part of the paper there is a description about genesis of meteorites, in particularly about stony meteorites– chondrites, since meteorite Jesenice is an ordinary L chondrite. Chondrules represent main part of the mass ofchondritic meteorites. For this reason the second part of the paper talks about morphology, texture, mineralogy andchemical properties of chondrules. Main theories about chondrule formation and other distinctive textures found inchondrites are also presented. The paper also presents a review across different meteorite classifications. Meteoriteclassifications differ depending on the geochemical and mineralogical properties of meteorites. In this paper are alsoused some new Slovenian terms correlated with the science of meteorites and mineral materials. Classification ofmeteorite Jesenice is based on its macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. We classified meteorite Jesenice onthe basis of shock metamorphosis, grade of weathering, petrological properties and chemical composition of olivine.We found out that meteorite Jesenice is weakly shocked weakly weathered undifferentiated low total iron ordinarychondrite. Our results are in agreement with findings of Bischoff and his colleagues

Porosity of natural stone and use of confocal laser scanning microscopy on calcitic marble aged in laboratory

Porosity is one of the key characteristics of natural stone, which influences ondurability as well as functionality of stone as building material. Further, deterioration processes themselves are also characterized by change of porosity. Different direct and indirect techniques can be used for porosity determination. In the following paper overview of these methods, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, is given. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is indirect (microscopic) technique. Despite its numerous advantages, among which 3D visualizationof pore structure is of major importance, this technique is less known in the area of building materials. An example how CLSM can be applied for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of porosity of calcitic polygonal granoblastic marble is given in this paper. Studied marble has been, despite of its poor durability, often used as building material, especially in the case of claddings. It is shown that thermal hydric factors of deterioration can influence porosity significantly,especially formation of intergranular cracks.This kind of deterioration can be successfully evaluated with use of CLSM method, if samples are suitable prepared and if suitable image analysis tools are developed