Lime mortar and plaster from the house XVII-XVIII, UMM El-Jimal, Jordan: Archaeometric analysis

Ancient craftsmen at Umm el-Jimal, Jordan, used innovative techniques to create durable lime-based cement materials for construction during the Byzantine era. The study reveals that hydraulic properties were achieved by incorporating natural scoria and recycled pottery fragments into the mortar and plaster. Notably, charcoal addition in some samples resulted in grey coloring, while others maintained a white-beige hue due to straws, bones, and higher amounts of scoria and ceramic. These findings highlight the sophisticated understanding of material science among ancient builders, who likely produced lightweight, porous cement through strategic aggregate-binder ratios and fiber reinforcement.

AL-BASHAIREH, K. (2019). Lime mortar and plaster from the house XVII-XVIII, UMM El-Jimal, Jordan: Archaeometric analysis. Shedet, 6(6), 212–224. https://doi.org/10.21608/shedet.006.12