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Brightly colored stains on the white marble at the Tea pavilion and marble statues in Renaissance style trigger a scientific investigation to determine their origin. Staining and alteration of white marble in El Montazah site have been studied by using different microscopic techniques, polarizing microscope (PLM), reflected light microscope, light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Moreover, several samples have been examined by X-ray powder diffraction, Energy Dispersive X-ray analyses (EDX), FTIR spectroscopy and biological analysis. The results indicated that different factors contribute to form stains on white marble. In the Tea pavilion at El Montazah site, staining can essentially be attributed to the alteration of pyrite. Microbial deterioration, black stains and the reactions between the organic matters with the alkali solutions have a dominant influence in the discoloration and staining of marble statues at El Montazah site. Also, FTIR in the brownish areas from the marble statues confirmed the presence of Paraloid B-72. Probably a part of marble staining was caused by the alteration of Paraloid B-72, which was used in the past to consolidate or as an adhesive to preserve the marble. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to retrofit and conserve the archeological site of Kom El-Dikka, Alexandria, Egypt, a systematic study of construction materials was applied. The samples of mortars, brick and limestone samples have been taken from the remains of ancient Auditorium, houses and baths (300 AD). The analytical techniques showed that different qualities of mortars and brick were used for different purposes. Almost impermeable hydraulic mortars were found in contact with draining canals. This was the initiative to start combining advanced analyses of mortars and other construction materials by determining their physical and chemical characteristics in order to find the textural features and the alterations of the structure and understand their resistance to weathering. Here samples were analyzed and examined by using Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), SEM atached with EDX, Polarizing microscope, Optical microscopy in transmited polarized light, XRD, DTA-TGA, Grain Size Distribution, Pore Media Characterization, while some limestone and mortars were tested, to determine their uniaxial compressive strength, porosity, water absorption, proportion of constituents of cement mortars, and durability. The paper focuses on the interrelation of findings from the above-referred examinations. The use of reactive siliceous materials in combination with lime, as well as, the excellent gradation of aggregates used seems to be the ancient protocol of the good performance of the ancient mortars. It is concluded the high skillfulness of ancient masons of the classical period in construction materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]