DOI issue:
Sudan
DOI article:Godlewski, Włodzimierz: Old Dongola: Kom A (Acropolis), 2003
DOI article:Kossowska, Irena: Analyses of samples of Plaster from the cruciform building (B.III) in Dongola
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41371#0210
OLD DONGOLA
SUDAN
APPENDICES
The following are reports on three separate
analyses of samples of plaster, pigment and
binder from a building discovered in 2001
and excavated in 2003 on Kom A in Old
Dongola. Lab analyses were carried out in
Poland.
Sample no. 1 came from the three
coatings of plaster found on the building
exterior. Samples 2-4 represent the three
successive coatings of plaster belonging to
the first phase in the existence of the
structure (B.III.l), starting from the
innermost (no. 2) and ending in the
thickest, third layer with incised modeling
of details (no. 4). Sample no. 5 originated
from a fourth coating of plaster, which was
laid once the building was reconstructed as
a small church (B.III.2).
Four samples were submitted for
pigment and binder analyses: samples
nos. 9-11 from the first layer of the
plaster, with blue and red pigments being
analyzed in sample no. 9, black in sample
no. 10, dark and light green in sample
no. 11 and yellow and orange in sample
no. 12.
APPENDIX 1
ANALYSES OF SAMPLES OF PLASTER
FROM THE CRUCIFORM BUILDING (B.III)
IN DONGOLA
Irena Koss
Academy of Fine Arts, Warsaw
The plaster samples were analyzed with the
microchemical method using a stereoscope
microscope Mst-130 (lOOx) and a Zeiss
Biological Microscope for transmitted
light (680x). Thin sections cut for samples
nos. 2, 3 and 4 were examined under an
OPTON polarizing microscope in polar-
ized transmitted light, parallel and crossed
nicols (480x).
Sample no. 1 (from the exterior plasterwork near
the entrance from the west, encompassing all
three layers of the plaster)
Macroscopic description: The sample contains
three layers of plaster. The outer ones contain quartz
grains, the middle one is microcrystalline. All layers
are creamish-white, contaminated with brown clay.
(I) Outer (top) layer: White, microcrystalline
binder, quartz filler.
No reaction in water. Binder dissolves in 3M
HC1, leaving poorly selected quartz, with a varying
degree of translucency and mostly well worn. Part of
the quartz is contaminated with a russet-colored
substance. Rock detritus, presumably igneous, is
present. Heating a drop leads to recrystallization of
gypsum at levels of considerable intensity. Positive
reaction for ferric and silicate compounds, cha-
racterized by considerable intensity. Negative
reaction with Lugola liquid and ninhydrin.
Conclusion: The sample in question is
lime plaster containing very poorly
selected quartz filler, mostly well worn.
The small quantity of gypsum is due to
weathering. The presence of ferric com-
pounds and clay should be attributed to
contamination with a loamy substance. No
starch gum (dextrin) or protein substances
were observed.
208
SUDAN
APPENDICES
The following are reports on three separate
analyses of samples of plaster, pigment and
binder from a building discovered in 2001
and excavated in 2003 on Kom A in Old
Dongola. Lab analyses were carried out in
Poland.
Sample no. 1 came from the three
coatings of plaster found on the building
exterior. Samples 2-4 represent the three
successive coatings of plaster belonging to
the first phase in the existence of the
structure (B.III.l), starting from the
innermost (no. 2) and ending in the
thickest, third layer with incised modeling
of details (no. 4). Sample no. 5 originated
from a fourth coating of plaster, which was
laid once the building was reconstructed as
a small church (B.III.2).
Four samples were submitted for
pigment and binder analyses: samples
nos. 9-11 from the first layer of the
plaster, with blue and red pigments being
analyzed in sample no. 9, black in sample
no. 10, dark and light green in sample
no. 11 and yellow and orange in sample
no. 12.
APPENDIX 1
ANALYSES OF SAMPLES OF PLASTER
FROM THE CRUCIFORM BUILDING (B.III)
IN DONGOLA
Irena Koss
Academy of Fine Arts, Warsaw
The plaster samples were analyzed with the
microchemical method using a stereoscope
microscope Mst-130 (lOOx) and a Zeiss
Biological Microscope for transmitted
light (680x). Thin sections cut for samples
nos. 2, 3 and 4 were examined under an
OPTON polarizing microscope in polar-
ized transmitted light, parallel and crossed
nicols (480x).
Sample no. 1 (from the exterior plasterwork near
the entrance from the west, encompassing all
three layers of the plaster)
Macroscopic description: The sample contains
three layers of plaster. The outer ones contain quartz
grains, the middle one is microcrystalline. All layers
are creamish-white, contaminated with brown clay.
(I) Outer (top) layer: White, microcrystalline
binder, quartz filler.
No reaction in water. Binder dissolves in 3M
HC1, leaving poorly selected quartz, with a varying
degree of translucency and mostly well worn. Part of
the quartz is contaminated with a russet-colored
substance. Rock detritus, presumably igneous, is
present. Heating a drop leads to recrystallization of
gypsum at levels of considerable intensity. Positive
reaction for ferric and silicate compounds, cha-
racterized by considerable intensity. Negative
reaction with Lugola liquid and ninhydrin.
Conclusion: The sample in question is
lime plaster containing very poorly
selected quartz filler, mostly well worn.
The small quantity of gypsum is due to
weathering. The presence of ferric com-
pounds and clay should be attributed to
contamination with a loamy substance. No
starch gum (dextrin) or protein substances
were observed.
208