Archaeometric exploration at Akköprü in Ankara

Abstract

The archaeometric exploration was conducted by surveying and sampling studies on the stone, and mortar samples from Akköprü in Ankara. Spot salt test and conductometric analysis were applied to get water soluble salt content of stone samples. The aggregate and binder part of the mortars were determined by the analyses of acidic aggregate & binder, aggregate granulometry, thin section optic microscopy and X-ray diffraction. In addition, the physical conditions of the stones were determined by some physical tests. The results of archaeometrical data showed that the constructive stone material was mainly andesite besides ignimbrite and dacite, and the original binder material was lime mortar. The cement content of the binder of mortars reveals the recent interventions on Akköprü. In the light of petrographic studies it was understood that the source of the original constructive raw material reflects the local formation. The high soluble salt content and the bad physical conditions of some stones also showed that they are undergoing a decomposition process of different degrees.

Keywords

• Akköprü
• Archaeometry
• Stone analysis
• Mortar analysis
• Physical tests
• Thin section analysis
• Ankara