Lichens on ancient mortars

Abstract

The study of three archaeological sites of southern Spain showed that mortar is a building material easily colonized by a diversity of calcicolous and rather nitrophilous lichens. The interface between lichen and mortar showed an intense chemical activity of the hyphae producing extensive alteration on the surface. The nature and amount of the mortar components greatly influenced the colonizing species and the patterns of alteration. | The study of three archaeological sites of southern Spain showed that mortar is a building material easily colonized by a diversity of calcicolous and rather nitrophilous lichens. The interface between lichen and mortar showed an intense chemical activity of the hyphae producing extensive alteration on the surface. The nature and amount of the mortar components greatly influenced the colonizing species and the patterns of alteration.