Detection and analysis of sources of lime mineral in ancient buildings

Abstract

Lime is the most important basic material in ancient architecture. Obtaining lime for construction through calcination is one of the most important inventions of humankind. The raw material of calcined lime is mainly natural limestone and shells. For example, in China's eastern coastal areas that lack limestone resources, “lime” made from oyster shells has been widely used. To understand the history and technological development of ancient architecture, it is of great significance to analyze whether lime in the mortar has been artificially fired and the raw material is limestone or oyster shells. This research proposes an analytical method using infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and mercury intrusion microporous detection to determine whether building lime has been calcined and its raw materials. This method has been applied for analyzing and detecting eight lime samples from different ancient ruins.