RT journal article
T1 Salt weathering impact on Nero/Ramses II Temple at El-Ashmonein archaeological site (Hermopolis Magna), Egypt
A1 Fahmy, Abdelrhman
A1 Molina Piernas, Eduardo
A1 Martínez López, Francisco Javier
A1 Domínguez Bella, Salvador
A2 Ciencias de la Tierra
K1 Nero’s Temple
K1 El-Ashmonein archaeological site
K1 Salt attack
K1 Contaminated water
K1 Building stone
K1 Mortar
K1 Decay
K1 Weathering
AB Nero’s Temple at El-Ashmonein archaeological site, in Minia (middle of Egypt), is considered one of the most importantof all temples of Nero. This temple dates back to 1520 BC–1075 BC in the New Kingdom and was reused in theera of Nero (the Fifth Emperor of Rome). The temple construction materials are severely decayed from surroundingenvironmental impacts, especially contaminated water sources. The main objective of this paper is to identify the constructionmaterials of Nero’s Temple and their decay by-products. To achieve them, X-ray diffraction, micro X-ray fluorescencespectrometry, and portable Raman spectroscopy were utilized to identify the compositions and alterationby-products/degradation compounds (mainly saline efflorescence and crusts) from the construction materials, suchas limestone walls, and structural mortars of the temple. In addition, a polarizing microscope was used to identify theminerals inside the construction materials and reveal the alteration of the minerals because of decay. Digital microscopyand scanning electron microscopy with EDS were used to detect decayed materials’ morphological features.Finally, results showed that the main decay factor is salt attack (chlorides, sulfates, phosphates, nitrates, carbonates,and bicarbonates) for all architectural and structural elements of the temple, which have been carried to the constructionmaterials from various sources of contaminated water (canal, sewage, and agricultural water).
PB SPRINGER
SN 2050-7445
YR 2022
FD 2022-08
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/27965
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/27965
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 14-nov-2026