PETROGRAPHY, XRD AND WET CHEMISTRY OF SASSANID ROCK RELIEFS AT KHAN TAKHTI (230 AD), IRAN: A CASE STUDY

Authors

  • Kouros Samanian Department of Conservation, University of Art, Sarhang Sakhaei St., Hafez St., Tehran
  • Maryam Shirvani Department of Conservation, Isfahan University of Art, Khaghani Junction, Hakim Nezami St., Isfahan
  • Hooman Bakhshaei Department of Conservation, University of Art, Sarhang Sakhaei St., Hafez St., Tehran

Keywords:

XRD analysis, petrography, wet chemistry, rock reliefs, technical studies, Khan Tkhti, Sassanid reliefs, Iran

Abstract

At Khan Takhti at North West of Iran a sculpted monument commemorating a war waged against the Romans by Shapour I, the second Sassanid king, has been archaeometrically studied. This relief monument carved into the rock in the mountains has faced a considerable destruction process. Petrography, wet chemistry experiments and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were performed to identify rock samples for conservation and preservation purposes. The rock used in this monument is limestone and dolomite. According to XRD analysis, a significant amount of quartz is present in the stone structure. The results of analysis and stone type identification show that a significant quantity of surface sediments and dissolved sulphate, chloride and nitrate salts have been deposited on the surface of the monument due to its proximity to the salty Urmia Lake, which is considered an important factor in the destruction process.

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Published

2023-07-27

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2012)

Section

Articles