Decay of Limestone Statues at Mount Nemrut (Adiyaman, Turkey)

Limestone statues at Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Turkey, are deteriorating primarily due to dissolution along microcracks exacerbated by freezing-thawing cycles and direct atmospheric exposure. The study found that weathering is more pronounced on the east terrace, where these cycles are frequent, and on statue faces exposed to rain and snow. Harsh atmospheric conditions at the site accelerate decay, prompting recommendations to minimize direct contact with precipitation to preserve the statues.

Topal, T., Deniz, B. E., & Güçhan, N. Ş. (2014). Decay of Limestone Statues at Mount Nemrut (Adiyaman, Turkey). International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 9(3), 244–264. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2013.768310