A multi-analysis characterization of medieval and vernacular coating mortars in rural Valencia (Spain): An experimental study for a Heritage Action Plan

Almost all the façades of rural vernacular constructions were rendered in order to protect and decorate the masonry walls. Therefore, this study has been carried out in order to identify and classify the different vernacular techniques for producing mortar over history in a given geographical region through the combination of petrophysic, chemical and organoleptic analysis, going on to classify and date constructions for which there were no recorded data. The results show that mortars do indeed contain a wealth of information, which situates these constructions in a specific period of history and allows relationships to be established between construction stages and techniques. The results have also demonstrated that mortars are mainly composed of lime rather than gypsum as was erroneously assumed before the study. So, the determination of components and techniques has been considered a crucial aspect to be taken into account when working on the conservation, of contemporary aesthetic interventions for which the combination of petrophysical, chemical and organoleptic analysis is necessary to guarantee compatibility between existing mortars and new ones.