Scholarly record

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF THE USE OF MARBLE AS A RAW MATERIAL FOR TRADITIONAL LIME PRODUCTION IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE VYSOCINA REGION (CZECH REPUBLIC)

Petr Kozlovcev, Jan Valek, Kristyna Kotkova, Radek Sevcik

Abstract

The southern part of the Vysocina region (Bohemian-Moravian Highlands), defined by the surroundings of towns Telc and Slavonice, has been associated with the use of local crystalline limestones – marbles, since the Middle Ages. These marbles were burned to produce lime that was used not only for traditional masonry, but also for renders and plasters. Nowadays, analyses of preserved fragments of incomplete burned marble or binder-related particles in historical objects represent a valuable source for the rediscovery of traditional technologies and applied materials. To determine the origin of marble raw materials and to understand the historical context of marble usage, unburned or partially burned particles of marbles from authentic buildings were collected. At the same time, exploration of the local marble deposits was accomplished. To obtain necessary data, collected samples were analysed using advanced instrumental techniques such as polarised light microscopy, X-ray diffraction or isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Mutual comparison of materials from historical buildings and old marble deposits helped to the determination of the provenance of the raw materials. The obtained findings contribute not only to a detailed understanding of history of quarrying and historical building technologies, but also provide valuable information for restoration of cultural heritage object.

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