Chemical Analysis of Historical Mortars from the Roman Period in Serbia

Abstract

This work is part of the MoDeCo2000 project research concerning the historical mortars from the Roman period in today’s Serbia. It is focused on the chemical analysis of mortar samples selected from archaeological sites along the Danube River. The main compositional and technological features of the mortars were determined by chemical analyses with energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) with an HF resistant introductory system. The aim of this study is to present the analytical chemistry strategy used for the rapid and reliable characterisation of the relevant features of historical mortars.