La molienda en la Protohistoria del mediodía peninsular ibérico

En relación con la Protohistoria en el ámbito del sur y sureste peninsular apenas se han desarrollado trabajos acerca de los ambientes domésticos, lo que ha llevado que una parte de la cultura material, tradicionalmente asociada a estos ambientes, haya quedado completamente relegada en la historiografía. Por ello, el objetivo fundamental de este trabajo es poner de manifiesto dos aspectos, primeramente la falta de estudios rigurosos sobre los distintos aspectos de los ambientes más cotidianos (como pueden ser los hogares, zonas comunes, etc.) pero que podrían aportar una valiosa información sobre las costumbres y actividades diarias de estas sociedades; y segundo, el estudio y análisis de las piezas y contextos relacionados con la molienda. Para ello, hemos realizado una profunda labor de revisión de la bibliografía existente con el objetivo de contar con la mayor parte de las evidencias que haya estado en relación con la molienda dentro del registro arqueológico en el mediodía peninsular, desde que se prepara la tierra para el cultivo del cereal hasta que se ingiere, atendiendo especialmente al material asociado a este proceso. Respecto al estudio de material, nos hemos centrado en uno de los elementos que mayor registro ha aportado, pero que, a su vez, en prácticamente todas las ocasiones pasa desapercibido: las muelas de molino, algunas de las cuales han sido objeto de análisis petrográficos por nuestra parte, dentro del ámbito de trabajo de la antigua Bastetania

Influence of Surface Finishes and a Calcium Phosphate-Based Consolidant on the Decay of Sedimentary Building Stones Due to Acid Attack

Natural stone has long been used as a building material because of its physical-mechanical resistance and its esthetic appeal. However, over the last century increasing industrial activity has produced more acidic environments, such as polluted urban areas, that can cause serious damage to many buildings and historic monuments, and in particular those made with carbonate rocks, which are most prone to decay. In order to mitigate the physicochemical processes that degrade these buildings, a number of phosphate-based consolidants have been developed, which are highly compatible with the carbonated substrate. Research about the role of the surface and its different possible finishes in the transmission of the agents that damage or protect the stone would therefore be very useful, both when choosing the most suitable stone for new constructions and when restoring historic buildings. The main objective of this research was to determine whether the roughness of three types of surface finish (saw-cut, honed and bush-hammered) influences the durability of four types of natural stone (two calcarenites, one travertine and one sandstone) widely used in Andalusia (Spain). The efficacy of a calcium phosphate-based consolidant as a mitigator of deterioration in polluted urban environments was also studied and to this end the physical properties of untreated and treated samples were measured and compared. The samples were exposed to artificial atmospheres with SO2 pollution in order to assess the damage caused to each surface finish. The results indicate that all the surface finishes were vulnerable to the decay caused by acidic atmospheres, although the saw-cut finish was less affected, perhaps because it did not require additional industrial processing. The mineral composition and texture of the rocks were critical factors in terms of the amount and type of decay they suffered, and the travertine and sandstone were more resistant to deterioration than the calcarenites. Similarly, the pore system of each rock was decisive in the penetration of the consolidant. Application of the consolidant improved the behavior of the treated samples by making them more resistant to acid attack without significantly altering the water vapor permeability, the color or the roughness of the surface

Salt weathering impact on Nero/Ramses II Temple at El-Ashmonein archaeological site (Hermopolis Magna), Egypt

Nero’s Temple at El-Ashmonein archaeological site, in Minia (middle of Egypt), is considered one of the most important of all temples of Nero. This temple dates back to 1520 BC–1075 BC in the New Kingdom and was reused in the era of Nero (the Fifth Emperor of Rome). The temple construction materials are severely decayed from surrounding environmental impacts, especially contaminated water sources. The main objective of this paper is to identify the construction materials of Nero’s Temple and their decay by-products. To achieve them, X-ray diffraction, micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and portable Raman spectroscopy were utilized to identify the compositions and alteration by-products/degradation compounds (mainly saline efflorescence and crusts) from the construction materials, such as limestone walls, and structural mortars of the temple. In addition, a polarizing microscope was used to identify the minerals inside the construction materials and reveal the alteration of the minerals because of decay. Digital microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with EDS were used to detect decayed materials’ morphological features. Finally, results showed that the main decay factor is salt attack (chlorides, sulfates, phosphates, nitrates, carbonates, and bicarbonates) for all architectural and structural elements of the temple, which have been carried to the construction materials from various sources of contaminated water (canal, sewage, and agricultural water)

Geoenvironmental investigation of Sahure's pyramid, Abusir archeological site, Giza, Egypt

Abusir is the name of an elaborate burial area in Egypt, dotted with 19 pyramids and other temples, stretching on the western side of the Nile from the south of the Giza Plateau to the northern rim of Saqqara. It seems to have been created as the resting site for the Pharaohs dated from 2494 to 2345 BC. The name Abusir, originally spoken as Busiri, means "Temple of Osiris". Over time, the name has become so popular because more than 60 villages now carry this name, but only one is the archaeological site. This paper focused on one of its most important pyramids from the Abusir archaeological area, Sahure's pyramid, since it is one of Egypt's little-known but heavily damaged treasures. Field and laboratory studies have been carried out to investigate and understand the durability problems and construction materials of this pyramid, leading to results that confirmed the impact of the geoenvironmental conditions on the pyramid's architectural, structural, and engineering stability. Moreover, the results showed that mineralogical content in the construction materials was an intrinsic problem due to the presence of swellable (expansive) clays, which are considered responsible for pyramid decay and damage. In addition to external factors such as the effect of temperature variations, rain, pollutants, wind, and earthquakes and their interactions with intrinsic building material defects. Finally, this paper revealed a new discovery for basaltic mortar as the first trial for green concrete manufacturing in the Egyptian Old Kingdom, Fifth Dynasty

Coastal Environment Impact on the Construction Materials of Anfushi's Necropolis (Pharos's Island) in Alexandria, Egypt

The only example and reference of Ptolemaic Alexandrian tombs, with clear integrations of Egyptian-style scenes and decorations, is considered an endangered archaeological site due to different coastal environmental risks in Alexandria and the absence of maintenance. Anfushi's Necropolis is located near the western harbour (Island of Pharos) and dates back to the 2nd century BC. Sea level rises, earthquakes, flooding, storminess, variations in temperature, rainfall, and wind are the factors that have the largest effect on the destruction and decay of Anfushi's Necropolis building materials. This paper's main objectives were to characterize this necropolis's building materials and assess its durability problems and risks regarding the coastal environment. Additionally, the vector mapping of its architectural and structural elements was applied for documentation and recording purposes for the necropolis. To achieve these aims, field (recording and photographs), desk (engineering drawing and mapping), and laboratory works (X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, binocular microscopy, polarizing microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy) were carried out. The results confirmed the probabilistic risk of sea level rises and its impact on the submergence of Anfushi's Necropolis. The structural deficiencies of the tombs were caused by the effect of earthquake tremors along with anthropogenic factors. In addition, chemical and microscopic investigations showed that salt weathering (halite and gypsum) induced the decay of the building materials

At the beginnings of the funerary Megalithism in Iberia at Campo de Hockey necropolis

[EN] The excavations undertaken at the Campo de Hockey site in 2008 led to the identification of a major Neolithic necropolis in the former Island of San Fernando (Bay of Cadiz). This work presents the results of the latest studies, which indicate that the site stands as one of the oldest megalithic necropolises in the Iberian Peninsula. The main aim of this work is to present with precision the chronology of this necropolis through a Bayesian statistical model that confirms that the necropolis was in use from c. 4300 to 3800 cal BC. The presence of prestige grave goods in the earliest and most monumental graves suggest that the Megalithism phenomenon emerged in relation to maritime routes linked to the distribution of exotic products. We also aim to examine funerary practices in these early megalithic communities, and especially their way of life and the social reproduction system. As such, in addition to the chronological information and the Bayesian statistics, we provide the results of a comprehensive interdisciplinary study, including anthropological, archaeometric and genetic data.We wish to express our gratitude to Antonio Saez Espligares (Historical Museum of San Fernando) and Lourdes Lorenzo (Figlina, s.l.) for their support during the archaeological excavation. This research was conducted in the framework of the following research projects: "Analysis of prehistoric societies from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Late Neolithic at both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar: relations and contacts", funded by the State Research Agency (SRA) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Ref.: HAR2017-87324-P. (2018-2021). "Analisis interdisciplinar para el conocimiento del poblamiento humano de la Bahia de Cadiz durante la Prehistoria Reciente (VI-II milenios a.n.e.)", funded by 2014-2020 ERDF Operational Programme and the Department of Economy, Knowledge, Business and University of the Regional Government of Andalusia. Ref.: FEDER-UCA18-106917 (2020-2023). "Analisis de los isotopos de oxigeno en conchas y de los isotopos estables de oxigeno y carbono en huesos humanos en el poblado neolitico insular de Campo de Hockey (San Fernando, Cadiz)", authorised and funded by CEIMAR. Ref.: CEIJ-015 (2018-2019). Eduardo Molina Piernas acknowledges co-funding from European Social Fund (D1113102E3) and Junta de Andalucia

Influencia del sistema poroso y del acabado superficial en la durabilidad de areniscas y travertino explotados en Andalucía y utilizados en construcción

Tesis Univ. Granada. Departamento de Mineralogía y Petrologí

Coastal Environment Impact on the Construction Materials of Anfushi’s Necropolis (Pharos’s Island) in Alexandria, Egypt

The only example and reference of Ptolemaic Alexandrian tombs, with clear integrations of Egyptian-style scenes and decorations, is considered an endangered archaeological site due to different coastal environmental risks in Alexandria and the absence of maintenance. Anfushi’s Necropolis is located near the western harbour (Island of Pharos) and dates back to the 2nd century BC. Sea level rises, earthquakes, flooding, storminess, variations in temperature, rainfall, and wind are the factors that have the largest effect on the destruction and decay of Anfushi’s Necropolis building materials. This paper’s main objectives were to characterize this necropolis’s building materials and assess its durability problems and risks regarding the coastal environment. Additionally, the vector mapping of its architectural and structural elements was applied for documentation and recording purposes for the necropolis. To achieve these aims, field (recording and photographs), desk (engineering drawing and mapping), and laboratory works (X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, binocular microscopy, polarizing microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy) were carried out. The results confirmed the probabilistic risk of sea level rises and its impact on the submergence of Anfushi’s Necropolis. The structural deficiencies of the tombs were caused by the effect of earthquake tremors along with anthropogenic factors. In addition, chemical and microscopic investigations showed that salt weathering (halite and gypsum) induced the decay of the building materials

Optimization of lime and clay-based hemp-concrete wall formulations for a successful lime rendering

Different pathologies may arise on a wall finish if this is applied on a hemp-based rammed wall that is not completely dry. By simulating uneven drying and early-rendering of load-bearing and non-load-bearing hemp concrete blocks (made with natural hydraulic lime only or a mix of lime with clay) and studying them by means of chromatic, microbiological, textural and morphological investigations, we found that: it is advisable to wait at least ten weeks before rendering; adding clay to hemp concrete delays drying, leading to more intense deterioration of the render; natural hydraulic lime is the preferred binder for rendering hemp concrete.Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness under the program ‘‘Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación” (2015 call)Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness under research project MAT2016-75889-