Archaeometric Analysis of Stone Deterioration in Ankara Castle from a Conservation Perspective

The subject of the study is the characterization and examination of stone materials used in the walls of Ankara Castle, determination of their physical, chemical and petrographic properties, documentation of existing deterioration types and investigation of deteriorations by archaeometric methods. Therefore, in this study, information was obtained about the current preservation and deterioration status of the stones by visual examination and documentation and samples were taken for archaeometric analysis. With petrographic analyses, samples were determined as andesite (andesite, quartz andesite, andesitic volcanic breccia), limestone (sparitic, biosparitic biomicritic and meta limestone) and marble stones according to rock types. With the analyses, it was determined that there were deteriorations such as iron hydroxide and opacification seen in andesites depending on the mineralogy of the stone. Physical tests (unit volume weight, water absorption capacity and porosity), total salt presence and types Nitrate (NO3-), Chlorine (Cl-), Sulfate (SO42-), Carbonate (CO32-) were determined. The stones was examined through SEM analysis for micro-scale images that showed flaking and efflorescence-type deteriorations at the macro level. The presence of high levels of sulfur (S) was revealed by EDX analysis at the locations where these deteriorations took place. The elemental composition of the stones was determined by XRF analysis. The data obtained will enable the methodological examination of the deteriorations observed in the walls of Ankara Castle from an archaeometric perspective, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in conservation science and archaeometry and providing a scientific reference for future conservation and restoration practices.