Archaeometric studies on structural materials of Feke, Saimbeyli and Gülek Castles

Date

2024-7-1

Author

Yılmaz, Zakir

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Cultural heritage sites are essential components of our universal history, demanding interdisciplinary exploration, understanding, and preservation. This thesis investigates the archaeometric studies of structural materials—rock/stone, mortar, plaster, wood, and brick—employed in historic buildings, explicitly focusing on medieval castles in the Cilicia region. The investigation examines materials that have endured preservation, loss, or transformation over time due to environmental, climatic, and human factors. Employing advanced archaeometric methods, including chemical, physical, and petrographic analyses, the research provides comprehensive insights into the structural materials, architectural techniques, and construction technologies of these ancient fortifications, specifically Gülek Castle in Mersin and Saimbeyli and Feke Castles in Adana. Detailed analyses reveal diverse physical properties, chemical composition, and morphological attributes of rock, mortar, plaster, wood, and brick constituents forming historical fortifications. Significant variations were found in the physical properties of different stone types, including Travertine, Micritic Limestone, Pelagic Limestone, Biomicritic Limestone, and Sandstone. Travertine samples, characterized by high porosity, pose potential durability concerns, whereas Pelagic and Biomicritic Limestones exhibit higher density and lower porosity, suggesting better resistance to weathering. Comparative analyses of rock samples indicate relatively consistent density levels, reflecting the quality and selection of construction materials during the medieval era. The study also highlights the susceptibility of these materials to freeze-thaw cycles, salt crystallization, and chemical weathering. Analyses of mortars and plasters demonstrate the importance of binders and aggregates in impacting the structural integrity and durability of these materials. Furthermore, the integration of petrographic thin section analysis and PED-XRF provided robust characterizations of the construction materials, validating the use of these techniques in heritage conservation. Understanding the structural materials of historical sites is crucial for documenting their composition and guiding restoration and conservation efforts. This thesis contributes to a detailed comprehension of medieval castle construction in Cilicia, resolving unique material properties, construction techniques, and historical significance while emphasizing the necessity for interdisciplinary perspectives in preserving our universal cultural heritage. The research underscores the importance of selecting appropriate materials for conservation and restoration efforts to ensure the long-term preservation of these historical structures. Future research directions include expanding the dataset to encompass a broader range of historical sites and exploring the impact of environmental factors and conservation treatments on the materials' performance. By integrating these findings with ongoing conservation practices, the study aims to contribute to the sustainable safeguarding of medieval castles and other heritage structures for future generations.

Subject Keywords

Fortifications, Medieval Castles, Archaeometric Analysis, Cultural Heritage Studies, Construction Materials, Analytical Techniques

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/110397

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis