Giovanni PESCE [Northumbria University (UK)] – Lime: a Matter of Time. Radiocarbon Dating of Lime Mortars –
• Séminaire TechnicoTop 2021-2022 • Techniques émergentes appliquées au monde de la recherche en histoire et archéologie •
→ vendredi 7 janvier 2022 15h |
Techniques de datation : les mortiers
Maison de la Recherche, rue Serpente (Paris 6e) – salle D513
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The radiocarbon dating method has been used in archaeological investigations for several decades now, mostly to date organic matter from excavations. It is not well known, however, that the same method can be applied to inorganic matter such as lime mortar samples. The first application of the method to these materials was suggested in a paper published in 1964 in Nature , by two French researchers, Labeyrie and Delibrias from the Centre des Faibles Radioactivites (Gif-sur-Yvette, Seine-et-Oise). Since then, some limitations emerged (mainly related to the presence of contaminants) and several attempts have been made to make this particular application the radiocarbon dating method less affected by the contaminaion sources such as carbonate sand grains. This seminar will introduce the basic principles of the application of the radiocarbon dating method to mortar samples, will discuss the main advantages and limitations, and will present the various preparation techniques currently used to improve the reliability of the results. Some examples will be used to illustrate the application of the methods, which is now obtaining good success rates.



–> Giovanni Pesce is Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Northumbria University (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK). He has a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Genoa (Italy, 1990-1999), a Doctorate in “Materials Engineering for the Sciences of Construction” from the same University (2002-2006), and a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Bath (UK; 2010-2014). Post-doctoral work has been taken at the University of Bath (2013-2016). Giovanni has worked as a specialist in building archaeology and conservation of historic buildings from 1999 to 2002 and from 2006 to 2010. Over the years he has developed unique expertise in the radiocarbon dating of historic mortars, and in the development of scientific knowledge on traditional mortar technologies. His current research interests are centred around the development of low- and zero-carbon construction materials inspired by the past, tailored to tomorrow’s construction industry. Giovanni has been PI in a number of research projects related to the study of traditional mortar technologies and to the development of new lime-based materials. He teaches in the BSc in Building Surveying program (e.g. module ‘Heritage and Conservation’), and in the MSc program in Surveying. He regularly delivers a series of lectures on lime at the MSc in Conservation of Historic Buildings at Bath University (UK).
OpenEdition vous propose de citer ce billet de la manière suivante :
TechnicoTop (7 janvier 2022). – G. PESCE – Lime: a Matter of Time. Radiocarbon Dating of Lime Mortars. Techniques au Top. Consulté le 6 juin 2026 à l’adresse https://doi.org/10.58079/uo90