Archaeometric and experimental study of clays and fragments of wall plaster from the archaeological site Gluhite Kamani, Eastern Rhodopes, Bulgaria

Abstract

The article presents results of investigation of plasters (mono-layered, inhomogeneous and irregularly pigmented) and clays found during archaeological excavations in the Gluhite Kamani Site in the Eastern Rhodopes, Bulgaria. The applicated methods in this study are: optical, physical and experimental. According to the established natural mineral and rock inclusions, the studied plasters show a similar composition. The samples of clay from the central sector of the archaeological site are with different physical features and similar composition. The conducted experimental firing of these clays and the established composition of the plasters, allows us to assume that the same was used for construction of buildings and for plaster, uncovered in parts of the archeological site.