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Integrated multi-analytical screening approach for reliable radiocarbon dating of ancient mortars

2022; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 12; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/s41598-022-07406-x

2045-2322

Giulia Ricci, Michele Secco, Anna Addis, Anna Pistilli, Nereo Preto, Gian Pietro Brogiolo, Alexandra Chavarría Arnau, Fabio Marzaioli, Isabella Passariello, F. Terrasi, Gilberto Artioli,

Maritime and Coastal Archaeology

Radiocarbon dating of the carbonate binder of historical mortars is a strategic research topic not lacking in complexities. The critical step is the separation of anthropogenic CaCO3-binder from other carbonate sources that could severely affect the resulting dates. Here we present a complete procedure for the processing and characterization of difficult mortars and of the separated binder fractions in order to assess a priori the chances of positively dating the mortar, and produce a binder fraction yielding the most reliable radiocarbon dates possible. Two complex architectural case studies from Northern Italy are presented and discussed in detail: the churches of Santa Maria Maggiore (Lomello, Pavia) and Santa Maria (Torba, Varese). The results support that both the reliability assessment and the successful radiocarbon dating are possible through a multi-analytical approach encompassing mineralogical and petrographic characterization, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, measurement of carbon and oxygen stable isotopes, and optical cathodoluminescence.