The Dating of Dolomitic Mortars with Uncertain Chronology from Müstair Monastery: Sample Characterization and Combined Interpretation of Results

Radiocarbon dating of dolomitic mortars from the Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair has revealed new insights into the chronology of the monastery's buildings, challenging previous assumptions about their construction periods. The study, which analyzed four mortar samples with uncertain dates (9th, 12th, and 15th centuries), integrated petrographic characterization with archaeological records to refine dating interpretations. Findings highlight the complexity of dating magnesian mortars due to their mineralogical variability and reaction conditions, offering a better understanding of both the monastery's history and the potential limitations of this method for archaeological contexts.

Caroselli, M., Hajdas, I., & Cassitti, P. (2023). THE DATING OF DOLOMITIC MORTARS WITH UNCERTAIN CHRONOLOGY FROM MÜSTAIR MONASTERY: SAMPLE CHARACTERIZATION AND COMBINED INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS. Radiocarbon, 66(6), 1543–1555. https://doi.org/10.1017/rdc.2023.107