Petrographic and Thermal Characterization of Mortar from a Church Ruin in Cagsawa, Albay, Philippines

Abstract

The Cagsawa Ruins is a crucial structure of the old church standing 38 km from Mt. Mayon in the province of Bicol. The ruins has been the result of the eruption of Mt. Mayon last February 1,1814. The remains have become a part of the province’s rich history and culture declaring it as one of the national treasures of the Philippines. Preservation is implemented to maintain the part that has remained from centuries ago. But apparently, the material used for preserving this important structure lacks compatibility with the original materials incorporated in the structure. Portland cement has been an alternative for lime mortars through which, in nature, are synthetic and are known to be the source of premature deterioration of soft, historic bricks. This cultural heritage is of importance to the history and must be preserved to its rightful material. By means of petrographic and thermal analysis it was proved that the aggregate from the mortar gathered from Cagsawa came from minerals and marine organisms that the decomposition of the elements confirmed that there are organic compounds present.