Non-Destructive Test Investigations on the Deterioration of Roman Mausoleum in Karadag Central Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

The Binbirkilise region has maintained its existence as an important religious and cultural center from the Hittites to the last period of the Eastern Roman Empire. There are many monuments in the region dating back to these periods. Among the region monuments, a Roman mausoleum draws attention along with its construction system and original form. This mausoleum was recently (2015) completely unearthed in the archaeological excavations carried out by the archaeologists of the Karaman Museum. Since then serious deterioration problems started to occur of atmospheric, biological and human origin. Several non destructive techniques (NDT) were applied and relevant measurements undertaken such as; temperature (ST), surface moisture (SM), Schmidt hammer rebound (SHR), and P-wave velocity (Vp) tests, 3D photogrammetry, thin sections, polarizing microscope, XRF analyses, XRD, mainly used to determine the deterioration conditions of building stones on the surface. The NDM innovative approach contributed to the understanding of the deterioration dynamics. It has been determined that a white crust formation on the parts of the monument unearthed by excavations and this crust formation affects the deterioration process of the building stones.