Soiling and blackening in archaeological sites and monuments of Iranian cultural heritage

Abstract

The paper reports the results of an investigation into the soiling on surfaces and reliefs at important Iranian archaeological sites. Samples of surface deposits and damage layers were collected from immovable cultural remains located in the provinces of Khuzestan and Fars, southern Iran. Different analytical techniques were applied in order to characterise the mineralogical composition of the damage layers, investigate the embedded atmospheric particles, measure the soluble salt concentration, and identify and quantify the carbon components. The results are presented, paying particular attention to the carbon fractions not linked to the carbonate substrate, but originated by biological agents and anthropogenic activities. The authors illustrate and discuss the quantitative data for non-carbonate carbon, composed of elemental and organic fractions, along with the organic composition of the soiling deposits.