Investigation of mortar, plaster and stone samples of Mor Kuryakos Monastery (Batman) by archaeometric techniques

In this study, a material characterization process was carried out by applying various archaeometric analyzes to representative stone, plaster and mortar samples obtained from Mor Kuryakos Monastery located in Batman province. In addition, a representative soil sample in the construction was examined in order to determine the local soil character. Unit volume, unit weight, porosity, water absorption and salt tests, also aggregate / binder granulometric analysis, thin section analysis, PED-XRF, XRD, FTIR, TG-DTA and SEM-EDX analyses were applied in the thesis. The results obtained in the spot tests and advanced analytical analysis applied to the samples were interpreted together. Accordingly, it was determined that some groups were formed for the stones and mortars of the building. When the mineralogical and chemical contents are compared with the geological formations of the region, it could be deduced that the stones used in the monastery have local and/or regional character. According to the analysis data, it is predicted that different mortars, in terms of their content, would have been used in the building. When the particle size distribution results of some mortars with similar content were examined, 3 groups were determined according to aggregate size: mortars with high total aggregate ratio, low total aggregate ratio, and mortars with close total aggregate and binder ratio. The dissimilarity in aggregate ratios of the mortars indicated different raw material sources. The presence of lime was detected with the high carbonate raw material content in the plasters. The high calcium content in the soil sample indicated that the soil has a calcareous character similar to the building elements, and it could be used as an additive in mortars, especially the ones possessing the clay minerals which were detected by petrography and XRD analyses. It is anticipated that the results obtained in this thesis provide a comprehensive knowledge regarding the current building material contents of the monastery and contribute to the archaeometry literature.