GCP7: Mortar from an internal room of the Gubbio Consoli Palace.
Mortar consisting of 30-40% in volume of aggregate with a grain size in the field of fine to coarse sand (0.1-1.5 mm, with most of grains < 1mm in size), moderate to scarce sorting, roundness variable from angular to sub-rounded, average to low sphericity and no preferred orientation of the grains (Fig. 13). The aggregate is composed of lithic fragments, monocrystalline grains and diffuse calcium carbonate remains of organisms (mostly planktonic foraminiera, Fig. 15). The dominant lithologies are sedimentary rocks (micritic limestones, cherts, minor arenites, siltites, and pelites and rare metamorphic rocks). Monocrystalline grains consist mostly of quartz, sparry calcite, white mica, and biotite. The lime-based binder is nearly homogeneous, micritic and contains minute opaque particles and iron oxides and hydroxides. The porosity is less < 5 % of the total volume of the sample and is due to voids and to cracks occurring in the binder.
