year 11, Issue 2 (2025)
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Bater M, Rostampour M. (2025). Structural Study and Chemical Composition Analysis of the Historical Adobe from the Surviving Architectural Structures in the Borj-e Afghan Region of Sistan. JRA. 11(2), : 7 doi:10.66224/jra.2025.11.207
URL: http://jra-tabriziau.ir/article-1-488-en.html
URL: http://jra-tabriziau.ir/article-1-488-en.html
1- Faculty of Art, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran , masoud.bater@birjand.ac.ir
2- Conservation & Restoration of Cultural Properties, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
2- Conservation & Restoration of Cultural Properties, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
Abstract: (975 Views)
Mudbrick and earthen architecture in the Middle East, particularly in Iran, has a long-standing tradition and remarkable continuity due to the arid climate and the abundance of soil sediments. Archaeological evidence from eastern and southeastern Iran, including the Sistan region and sites such as Shahr-e Sukhteh, Dahaneh-ye Gholaman, and Old Zahedan (Zahedan-e Kohneh), demonstrates the persistence of this technology from prehistoric times through the Islamic periods. Despite this extensive background, detailed laboratory studies on the materials of historical mudbrick and earthen buildings in this region remain limited.The aim of this research is to identify the structure and determine the chemical composition of historical mudbricks from the Islamic period in the rabad area of Zahedan-e Kohneh, in order to provide a scientific basis for assessing material conditions and supporting conservation and restoration decision-making for earthen architecture. To this end, a set of historical mudbrick samples from the Afghan Tower area was examined using standard laboratory techniques, including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), titration analysis, and gravimetric determination of sulfate content.The results indicate that the mudbricks were produced from local, alluvial, and heterogeneous soils with a clay–siliceous composition containing carbonate and gypsum lenses. The presence of mineral phases such as quartz, feldspars, calcite, dolomite, muscovite, and montmorillonite, together with a wide dispersion of calcium carbonate (9–40.5%) and calcium sulfate (0.26–1.4%), reflects the heterogeneity of the original material composition and the potential reactivity of the materials in response to moisture and salt-related factors.The findings underscore the necessity of considering conservation constraints and conducting supplementary investigations and tests prior to any consolidation interventions. By providing chemical and mineralogical data, this study establishes a preliminary framework for the scientific support of conservation and restoration decision-making for earthen buildings in the region and highlights the critical role of material composition analysis in evaluating their stability conditions.
Article number: 7
Keywords: Earthen Materials, Mudbrick, Sistan, Zahedan-e Kohneh, Afghan Tower, Conservation and Restoration of Earthen Architecture, Material Archaeometry
Technical Note: Original Research |
Subject:
Archaeometry
Received: 2025/09/27 | Accepted: 2025/12/29 | Published: 2025/12/30 | ePublished: 2025/12/30
Received: 2025/09/27 | Accepted: 2025/12/29 | Published: 2025/12/30 | ePublished: 2025/12/30
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