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LABRAUNDA MARBLES

Conservation report 2013

Agneta Freccero

1

LABRAUNDA MARBLES

Conservation Report 2013

After last year’s conservation period, Lars Karlsson presented the project to the University of

Visby and four students from the Building conservation programme, Victoria Bly, Anna

Enberg, Adam Justin-Moll and Anna Plahn joined the project this year. Erika Andersson

participated for the third time, now as my assistant. Conservation was planned and carried

through as a two-week practice period. Traditional graphical and verbal documentation

methods were part of part of the training, which in its practical part consisted of cleaning,

consolidation, attachment of fragments, and preparation of stucco for infillings.

Conservation was concentrated to the North Stoa and the five Corinthian capitals, two of

which were treated with biocide last year. Another planned intervention concerned the column

drum at Andron B, treated with biocide last year. This season a few minor rearrangements of

pieces were made at the South Propylaea. The immediate reason was a broken architrave

inscription which was lifted and placed to the left of the entrance to the gateway. The first part

of the architrave was placed beside the inscribed part, and a fragment of the pediment placed

upon it. Further, the left side anta capital was placed on the inscribed anta block, thereby

approximately mirroring the arrangement on the right hand side with the anta capital

conserved in 2011. The inscribed fragments were conserved as an additional, unplanned

intervention. Another unplanned work regarded a small and frail fragment of one corner of an

Ionic anta capital found in the earth at the Temple Terrace. The fragment was cleaned and

consolidated.

Samples of marble obtained in 2011 and 2012 had been sent to CNR/ICVBC (Consiglio

Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per la Conservazione e la Valorizzazione dei Beni Culturali)

in Florence. One sample of the common black surface deposit at the site, plus a sample of the

red surface deposit which covers the walls of the marble tomb had been removed for analyses

too. All results were available at the beginning of 2013.

The present report begins with Excursions followed by further notes on The marble at

Labraunda, Evaluation of conservation treatments 2010-2013, Evaluation of consolidation

tests, Survey 2013, and Conservation plan for next year. The conservation interventions begin

with a short introduction of The Corinthian capitals, after which follow all conservation

schedules, Material list and Bibliograpy.

2

Excursions

Fig.1, above, to the left: Excavations at Iasos. Fig.2, above to the right: Lunchtime.

Fig.3, below, to the left: Red cipollino marble. Fig. 4, to the right: The temple at Euromos.

After the annual visit to the police, we made the first excursion to the archaeological site of

Iasos, where Lars Karlsson explained the site, the functions of the buildings, styles and

marbles used, after which we had an exquisite lunch by the seaside followed by a visit to the

Italian archaeological team for coffee and talk. On the way back to Milas we took the Iasos-

Euromos road in search for ancient marble quarries – one of which we found near the road

were there were areas of the characteristic cipollino rosso, in antiquity known as marmo

iasense. We also found also minor blocks of a greenstone that may be cipollino verde.

At the modern road to Milas we turned in search of the ancient caves of white marble

recorded along the road by marble specialists, and in fact, we found these quarries too. The

trip continued to the nearby Euromos with its unique Doric temple which in the 1960s was

subject to a particular conservation performed by a famous Turkish conservator. Then we

visited the French excavation of the mausoleum at the site.

3

A second excursion Sunday 1st of September was made to Stratonikeia and Lagina. Three

colleagues from CNR in Florence, working with a marble project at the archaeological site of

Hierapolis in Phrygia participated. Lars showed and introduced the site to all of us and

discussions were for natural reasons with a specific attention to the marbles. The expedition

ended with a nice lunch in the oasis of the Pinarbaşi restaurant, after which we returned to

Milas.

Beside the excursions Jesper Blid Jesper took time to a much appreciated tour to the Roman

bath, the tetraconch and the West church, explaining the functions of the buildings and

constructions as well as their history of re-use. To Pontus Hellström, Olivier Henry and the

archaeological team we could always turn for information about specific objects or regarding

the history of the sanctuary.

Fig.5, above: The Bouleuterion at Stratonikeia.

Fig.6, below. Lunch at Pinarcik.

4

The Marble at Labraunda

What is the origin of the marble at Labraunda?

According to tradition, the marble comes from

quarries at Sodradaǧ, the mountain north-west of

Milas, mentioned already by Strabon.1 As there are

many antique marble quarries in the region, another

provenance cannot be excluded. Therefore, four

little pieces of marble were sent to CNR/ICVBC in

Florence for analyses. Two of these were collected

at Labraunda, one at an antique cave at Mount

Sodra, and the fourth obtained at a modern quarry

close to the site of Stratonikeia. The samples,

labeled Labraunda white, Labraunda grey, Sodra

white, and Stratonikeia, were analysed by different

analytical methods at CNR/ICVBC in Florence.2

According to analyses, samples Labraunda grey

and Sodra are very similar, but the composition of

Labraunda white is different. The sample indicated

as marble from Stratonikeia is quartzite, a

metamorphic rock, formed of quartz-rich sandstone.

Some years ago, two marble samples had been

obtained at Andron A and Andron B by Pontus

Hellström and Thomas Thieme. These were

examined by Norman Herz at the University of

Georgia with the stable isotope ratio analysis

method.3 The results of the isotope investigation

suggested that both samples most probably were of

marble from Herakleia on Latmos.

Sampling in 2012 was made at selected objects.

New samples were obtained of the investigated

blocks at Andron A and Andron B, and labeled A3

and C42 after the inventory numbers of the blocks. These represent the large-grained marble

type. Two samples were taken from the Corinthian capitals (CorCap1 and CorCap2) which

represent the very fine-grained marble. A fallen column of white marble with medium-sized

grains, possibly part of a Roman building, was sampled too (LabCol).

Fig. 7, above: Sample A3. Fig.8, below: Sample CorCap1.

1 Strabon XIV, 658.

2 A diffractometer for powder X’Pert Powder of the PANalytical correlated with software Highscore was used

for the interpretation of the diffractograms. The following operative conditions were used: anticathode tube for

Cu, alimentation of the tube 40KV, 30 mA, studied at angular interval 3<2ʋ<70. The petrographic thin sections

(thickness 30 micron) were observed under optic polarization microscope Axioscope of Zeiss at various

enlargements and with software dedicated to the handling and elaboration of images the microstructural

parameters, such as medium maximum and minimum granulometry, as well as the form of the contacts between

the crystals, were evaluated. 3 Analysed in Stable Isotope Labs of the University of Georgia, Department of Geology. The data were analyzed

by a least squares statistical package (Penţia, 1995) which compares the values to the Classical Marble Database

(Herz, 1987).

5

The results of the mineralogical composition showed, in brief, that Labraunda white was

Sodra bianco, Labraunda grigio, and Sodra were calcite marble with traces of dolomite,

fragments A3 and C42 are marble of pure calcite with medium large grains, CorCap1 and

CorCap2 are of a very fine-grained type of pure calcite marble, also LabCol is of pure calcite

with medium large grains but slightly different to A3 and C42. Sample Stratonikeia was

quartz.

To sum up, there is pure calcite marble at Labraunda, but also pieces of calcite/dolomite.

Some have fine grains, others have medium sized grains, and some have large grains. Further,

many blocks has a matrix of one specific grain-size but veins with clusters of large crystals.

There is, so far, no direct connection between the marbles at Labraunda and Sodradağ, but a

more systematic investigation may indicate otherwise.

How do these results correspond with results from systematic investigations of marble in the

area? Milas marble is frequently mentioned in current research. A geological map shows that

the so called Milas marble is found at various areas of the Menderes massive, at Heracleia,

Miletos, Euromos, Milas and Muğla, just to mention a few sites. There are local variations

between the marbles due to conditions during the metamorphous process. Research on ancient

marble in this area is plentiful and has been carried out with a variety of methods from the

basic ocular inspections and chemical tests, to advanced modern techniques.4

Monna and Pensabene mentions Milas-Mylasa marble, quarried 2 km south of Milas close to

the antique site of Euromos.5 Triassic marbles in the Muğla region from quarries at Çayboyu

(CM) and Kestanecik (KM), have been investigated by a Turkish team.6 The ÇM and KM

marbles are known as Muğla marble and Milas marble respectively, and both appear in a

variety of colours and patterns. The marbles are fine (0.45-0.55mm) to coarse grained (1-

4mm), and some contain Dolomite crystals. An extensive study of Turkish marbles, using a

set of methods for analyses, was made by Thomas Cramer.7 Further, there are four groups of

quarries on hills close to Heracleia at the south-east bank of Lake Bafa, by Anneliese

Peschlow Bindokat referred to as the Miletus and the Herakleia quarries.8 Recent research on

marbles at ancient sites of Asia Minor and the application of a set of methods of analyses has

led to even better ways of pin-point the provenance of ancient marbles, which can be

compared in a huge database.9

4 Methods applied are e.g. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Electron Spin Resonance spectroscopy (ESR), Scanning

Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Stable isotope analysis, and Chemical

analysis of inclusion fluids. 5 Monna and Pensabene 1977, 117.

6 Metin Bağci et alii 2010, 39-55.

7 Cramer 2004.

8 Attanasio 2003,180.

9 Prochaska, Attanasio 2012; Prochaska, Grillo 2012.

6

Fig.9, above: Antique quarry south of Lake Bafa, close to Herakleia.

Fig.10, below. The geological map of the Menderes massive (OKAY 2001), after Cramer 2004.

7

Evaluation of Conservation Materials and Treatments 2010-2013

Conservation year 2010

It was decided to prepare a plan for conservation and maintenance within the archaeological

project in 2010. A survey was made and two cleaning/consolidation tests were done.

A severely disintegrating Ionic capital was treated with biocide (GrönFri), cleaned with a

natural pine-soap (Grön såpa) and consolidated with Bindzil CC30, a water based silica which

had been successfully used in similar circumstances at Capri. The second object, a fallen

column fragmented in several parts of which some had completely collapsed into loose

marble crystals, was partially consolidated at one end. Biocide treatment was performed on

objects selected for next year’s conservation.


Two anta capitals, one Ionic capital and 6 inscribed anta blocks were conserved. Cleaning was

made with the same materials as previously used, and consolidation performed with Bindzil

CC30 in 50% water.


Ten inscribed blocks and one column were cleaned and consolidated, as described in the

report. Four capitals and one column were prepared with biocide for next year’s campaign.

Samples of red and black surface deposits were removed for laboratory analyses.

Observations 2013

Ocular inspection of the conserved pieces revealed that they all have a hard surface, meaning

no crystals are falling. All look clean and white seen from a distance. At closer inspection, the

large fragments conserved last year at Andron A still have a dotty surface, while the rest are

more uniformly white. If required, another application of diammonium phosphate next year

may be effective at the dotty pieces.

The test slab

A large marble slab was prepared for consolidation tests. It needs to be pointed out that the

tests were made in August when temperature was around 40º Celcius during day. The

products tested were Bindzil CC301, Bindzil CC401, Diammonium phosphate and

Casein/lime. The intention was to test calcium oxalate too, but the product was not available

at the time. The slab was divided into 20 areas, 4 for each of the 5 products. All areas at the

top were allowed to dry rapidly and all areas al the lower part were covered by wet tissue

paper before the plastic sheet was laid over the stone.

All consolidation materials reacted positively at the lower area, where the consolidation

process was slow. At the top, both Bindzil products formed films when undiluted, and diluted

there was a thin, almost ignorable film. But, as mentioned above, no film or discoloration

appeared when the drying process was slow. Diammonium phosphate turned out to have

cleaning properties, since the wet tissue that covered the treated areas became pink. The

product thereby reduced the dotty effect created by removed lichens.

On the first day at the site in 2012, calcium oxalate was applied on the preselected areas

according to the same principles as before. The surfaces received a white hue. After a few

days the whiteness diminished, and after three weeks it was hardly notable. It has to be noted

that this substance was applied on the most decayed and uneven area of the slab.

8

At inspection in august 2013, the dotty impression on the slab was very much reduced on all

test areas, and those treated with diammonium phosphate were clean and white. The film at

the test areas with un-diluted Bindzil was gone. All areas were in good condition and the

marks of untreated bands and areas quite distinct. So, which consolidation substance is the

better one in the present environment? Diammonium phosphate has, so far turned out to be

the better alternative.

Figs 11-13.

At the top: 2011. The last four rectangles at the right side were not used, since the material intended for those

areas, calcium oxalate, was not available. The small undivided area at the right side was left untreated.

In the middle: 2012. The last four areas recently treated with calcium oxalate.

Below: 2013. The slab in September 2013.

9

Survey 2013 Green = conserved.

South Propylaea

1. Anta block with inscription (61A and 61B), inv. K 73, at the west side of the entrance, decision of Roman officials regarding freedom from annoyance of the inhabitants of the sacred land. Biocide treatment 2013.

2. Anta capital, inv. K 80, with egg-and dart decoration at the top, followed by a palmetto and lotus frieze, a Lesbian molding and a

bead-and reel list. Conserved 2011. 3. Column at the end of the passage at the east side. Badly damaged at the lower part, on a broken base.

4. Column standing at the end of the passage at the west side.

5. Anta capital, S-E anta, moved to the S-E side of the gateway, placed on inv. K73. Biocide treatment 2013. 6. Inscription (61A and 61B), inv. K 19, decision of Roman officials regarding freedom from annoyance of the inhabitants of the

sacred land. 7. Pediment of the Southeast architrave, inv.? Placed upon architrave fragment K4. Biocide treatment 2013.

8. Architrave fragment, inv. K4. Biocide treatment 2013.

9. Architrave fragment with dedication of the gateway, inv. K81. The fragment, broken into two pieces, was lifted from the ground and is now placed beside K4. Conserved 2013.

Andron B 1 Anta capital, inv. C84, decorated with egg-and-dart, lotus-and palmetto frieze, Lesbian cymatium and bead-and-reel list, placed

on the terrace. The capital has flaking areas at the top, indicating there will be future material losses. These parts need to be

secured. Conserved 2011.

2 Inscription I. Labraunda 6, inv. C 39, on the terrace. Conserved 2011.

3 Inscription I. Labraunda 5, inv. C 76, placed on the terrace. Conserved 2011.

4 Inscription I. Labraunda 5, inv. C 78, letter of Philip of Macedon to Mylasa. Conserved 2011. 5 Inscription I. Labraunda 6B, inv. C 38, placed on the terrace. Conserved 2011.

6 Inscription I. Labraunda 14, consisting of 7 blocks lined up on the terrace, inv. C11, C10a, C10b, C13, C 12, C165, C42. Biocide

treatment 2011. Conserved 2012. 7 Ionic capital, inv. C80, standing in front of Andron B. Conserved 2011.

8 Column, inv. C 3, one of a pair at the entrance to the building, placed towards north. Biocide treatment 2012. Conserved 2013.

9 Column, inv. C 44, at the entrance to the building, placed towards south. Biocide treatment 2013. 10 Anta block, inv. C 82, on which inv.C 84 is standing. Conserved 2011.



Andron A

1 Column, inv. A 125, one of a pair standing at Andron A, placed towards south. 2 Column, inv. A 13, second of a pair at Andron A, on the ground towards north.

3 Ionic capital, inv A 104. Conserved 2010.

4 Inscription I. Labraunda 4, inv. A 150, placed in the corner close to no 5. Conserved 2012. 5 Inscription I. Labraunda 15 consisting of 3 large blocks, inv. A5, A3, A2, placed in front of the north column. Conserved 2012.

Oikoi 1 Inscription I. Labraunda 21, inv. NA 2, placed on a row of frieze blocks standing outside the building. Biocide treatment 2013.

Temple of Zeus 1 Column at the north side. The column is vertically broken into two pieces. Flaking areas.

2 Column drum at the north side. Damaged.

3 Column drum, north-westcorner. Damaged. Biocide treatment 2013. 4 Ionic corner capital, northwest corner, placed on Biocide treatment 2013.

5 Base and block at the N-E corner of the stylobate. Damaged.

6 Column drum at south side, split. 7 Column drum at south side, split.

8 Reconstruction, 3 blocks. (Top block with lesbian cymatium, dentils, egg-and-dart, and bead and reel decoration). Strange crust

on the Lesbian cyma. Biocide treatment 2013.

Temple terrace

1 Architrave fragment with decoration. Cleaned for documentation 2012.

North Stoa

1. Capital B152, treated with biocide 2012. Conserved 2013.. 2. Capital B147, treated with biocide 2012. Conserved 2013.

3. Capital B95. Conserved 2013.

4. Capital B146. Conserved 2013. 5. Capital B141. Conserved 2013.

6. Entablement, with inscriptions (7 plus 9 decorated and/or inscribed blocks).

Exedra

1. Stele with inscription, inv. 118/Y30.

10

Conservation plan for 2014

Interventions have, so far, been concentrated to Andron B terrace, Andron A, and North Stoa

and South Propylaea. The plan for next year is to continue to work at the South Propylaea, by

conserving the left hand side of the architrave treated this year, and the pediment placed upon

it, as well as the left side inscribed anta block and the capital placed on top. The second

column drum at Andron B will be treated too, completing the interventions planned at the

andron. Further, one inscription placed at the terrace between the oikoi and the Temple of

Zeus, will be conserved and also the Ionic corner capital of the temple as well as the column

drum on which it stands. Finally, if circumstances are favorable, the plan is to conserve the

reconstruction of Ionic decoration which is constituted of three blocks placed upon each other.

The objects mentioned above were treated with biocide on the last day at the site.

In order to understand the biological development on marble and to find reasonale ways of

eliminating such growth, some analyses were made at CNR/ICVBC in Florence. The studies

were made on the samples collected for the analyses of the marble type, which all presented

surface deposits. Two samples, black biological growth and red deposits in the marble tomb,

had been removed explicitly for the analysis of surface deposits.

Analyses show that the biodiversity is represented by various types of lichens and one type of

moss. Various phototrophic microorganisms were identified. The lichens were mainly of the

crust type but the foliose type was noted as well. Phototropic microorganisms are the most

abundant, being present in all samples. These are mainly cyanobacteria and green alga, which

can associate with a fungus and form lichen, that is, a new organism. Some of the

cyanobacteria that colonize the stone give it a black hue due to their development on and

inside the stone, penetrating between grains and in fissures.

Fig.14, above: South Proylaea. To the left anta block and anta capital treated to be conserved 2014.

Fig.15, below: Temple of Zeus, the reconstruction, in need of conservation.

11

Fig.16: One of the samples analysed at CNR/ICBVC, CorCap1, and the biodiversity identified.

12

The Corinthian Capitals

The North Stoa, excavated between 1948 and

1953, is situated north-east of the Temple of Zeus.

An inscription informs that at the end of his

priesthood Poleites, by own means, had the

building erected and decorated with marble. The

building which is dated to between AD 102 and

114, belongs to the Roman period at Labraunda.10

Five Corinthian capitals of the building are

preserved; B95, B146, B141, B147, and B152. At

present the capitals are placed along the north side

of the Stoa. Number 1, seen from the Temple of

Zeus, has the inventory number B152, the second

is B147, the third is B95, the fourth is B146 and

the fifth is B141, which lay fallen and damaged

on the ground behind the northern wall, but was

lifted and placed as the last capital in the row.

One of the capitals, B95, was thoroughly studied,

measured, and drawn by Liljenstolpe and von

Schmalensee.11

The drawings were very useful for

us as models for the simplified drawings we need

for the documentation of damages on the capitals

as they are preserved today. Being more or less

severely damaged none of the capitals has

maintained its original measures.

According to Liljenstolpe, the capitals have

foliage of the eastern acanthus type, which is

different from contemporary capitals of Urban Rome. The Labraunda capitals are suggested to

be of the Ephesian type and maybe cut by Ephesian sculptors. The marble of which the

capitals are cut is very fine-grained and quite different from the main part of the marble at the

site. Since they are of the Roman period, the question was if they were made of local or

imported marble. Whether the marble was imported from far away or from some other quarry

in Caria or along the Anatolian coast, might be indicated by analyses. Therefore, samples

were obtained from capitals 1 and 2, and sent to CNR/ICVBC for analyses.

The results confirm that the marble is different from the other pieces sampled so far. It is a

pure calcite marble with fine grains and it has a structure which is different from the

characteristic large-grained marble used at earlier buildings at the site (see The Marble at

Labraunda).

Each student selected one of the capitals, and was, under supervision, responsible for the

different conservation interventions, documentation during work, and descriptions in the

following schedules.

Fig.17, conservation of capitals at the North stoa.

10

Liljenstolpe and von Schmalensee 1996. 11

Height 0.47, the diagonal of the abacus 0.82, the width of the side 0.58.

13

Fig. 17. Symbols used for decay, damages and cuttings on the marble.

14

Corinthian Capital 1 Inv. B 152

Location: The capital is located on a block in the North Stoa

Measures, cm: height: 51, diameter max: 75.5, circumference max: 205.

Marble: White marble, fine grained crystals.

Period: Roman, 102-114 AD.

Bibliography: Liljenstolpe and von Schmalensee, 1996.

Photos and drawing: Erika Andersson.

Description

The capital is the first one in a row of five, located in the North

Stoa. It is decorated with acanthus leaves on all sides. Only one

volute, located in the south west corner, remains complete. The

south east corner of the capital is broken.

State of preservation

Three of the capital's volutes are missing. It is partially covered

with mosses and lichens, the latter are of black, brown and white

color. The biological growth seems to be somewhat more

concentrated to the north and south sides. A large part of the

surface is covered with soil which makes the marble look dark.

The top side appears to be relatively stable, but the marble is

sugaring towards the edges. There is a large crack close to the

west top edge and fissures on the remaining volute. The chiseled

marble on the sides are very unstable, with crystals sugaring and

several loose fragments. The acanthus leaves decoration show

severe material loss, especially on the tops where white marble is

visible at the fractures.

Conservation treatments

A biocide treatment (GrönFri) was performed in August 2012. A year later, there seemed to be

none or very little new biological growth. Large mosses were removed with a scalpel and

loose dirt was removed from the surface using a soft brush. A second biocide treatment was

performed (GrönFri 20% solution in water) and left on during the night. The capital was then

rinsed with water. Cleaning was done on all sides with water and natural soap (Grönsåpa)

using brushes of different sizes. Mosses and lichens were removed with scalpel.

A consolidation treatment was performed using diammonium phosphate (25 g/ 1 l water).

After application, the capital was covered with wet tissue paper and plastic, which was left on

for two nights. Two acanthus leave fragments, one on the south side and one on the west, were

loosely attached to the object and had fallen off during the conservation treatments. These

were reattached using marble adhesive (AkFix). The large crack close to the top west side was

fixed with an infilling consisting of slaked lime and crushed marble crystals. Small infillings

were also carried out where the fragments had been glued on. The infillings were retouched

with water colors.

The conservation was carried out by Erika Andersson under supervision by A. Freccero.

Analyses:

The marble was analyzed at CNR/ICVBC (CorCap 1).

Biological observations, CNR/ICVBC (CorCap 1).

Fig.18. Before conservation.

Figs 19-20: After conservation.

15

Fig.21. Corintian capital, inv. B 152.

16

Corinthian Capital 2

Inv. B 147

Location: North Stoa.

Measures in cm: Height: 48, diameter max: 73, circumference max: 205.

Marble: White marble with fine grains (0.05-0.6mm).


Bibliography: Liljenstolpe and von Schmalensee, 1996.

Photos and drawing: Anna Plahn.

Description

The capital is number two of five Corinthian capitals placed at the

North Stoa. Originally the capital was decorated with acanthus

leaves and volutes in the four corners.


The capital’s sides are in various conditions and the problems vary

according to each side’s geographical direction. The west-south

side has been exposed by the sun and is whiter and cleaner and

there are practically no mosses or lichens. The east and the north

sides have a lot of black surface deposits and a lot of mosses.

Mutually for these two sides is sugaring and small fissures which

occur behind the black crusts; these sides are very fragile and

crystals are falling at touch. The west side is in better condition

than the north and east but also in a state of decay. The acanthus

leaves on all sides are in different states of preservation. The top

surface presents all kinds of lichens and mosses and it has also a

lot of cavities covered with mosses and dirt. Three volutes are

missing and the fourth, on the north-east side, is only half.


A biocide treatment (GrönFri) was performed in 2012. In August 2013 the main part of the

lichens and the mosses were dry and dead. The surfaces were dry-cleaned with scalpel and

soft brushes and after that treated with biocide a second time. The following day, the capital

was cleaned with water and a soft brush and then it was cleaned with soap-water. A scalpel

and toothbrush was used for removal of lichens and mosses. The capital was treated a third

time with biocide on the most problematic parts, mainly on the north side. After cleaning with

spring water and toothbrush one last time, the capital was consolidated with diammonium

phosphate (25 gr in one liter spring water). The application was made with brush and the

spring water was sprayed on the tissue paper. Finally the stone was covered in plastic sheets

which were left on the capital for ca 36 hours. Reattachment of a fragment that had fallen off

during cleaning was done with Akfix G400 Granite and Marble Adhesive. The fissures were

filled in with slaked lime mixed with crushed marble and finally retouched with aquarelle.

The conservation was carried out by Anna Plahn under supervision by A. Freccero and E.

Andersson.

Analyses

The marble was analyzed at CNR/ICVBC (Corcap 2).

Biological observations, CNR/ICVBC (Corcap 2).

Fig.22, SE side and 23, NW side: before conservation. Fig.24, S side and 25, W side: after conservation.

17

Fig.26. Corinthian capital, inv. B 147.

18



Measures in cm: Height: 46, maximum diameter: 58, maximum

circumference: 180.

Marble: White fine grained marble.


Photos and drawing: Victoria Bly.

Bibliography: Liljenstolpe and von Schmalensee 1996.

Description

Corinthian capital, decorated with acanthus leaves on the four

sides, flowers at the top, and volutes in the corners. The

material is white marble with fine grains (0,05-0,6 mm).


The side facing south is the better preserved. The volute in

the south-west corner is the only one that remains complete.

The upper south-east corner was broken off the capital due to

a fall after the picture was taken in autumn 2012. The fragment was found on the site of the

capital. The flower on top of the south side is the best preserved of the four, but is not

complete due to damage and decay. The amount of lichens and mosses on this side of the

capital is also minor than the other ones. The top flower on the east side does not remain since

a big piece has fallen off the capital. This damage is obviously due to a different incident than

the one mentioned above, since it has more lichens and mosses than the above mentioned

corner where the fallen volute was situated. The east side is the one side with the highest

amount of large lichens and mosses and also dirt. There are also some smaller fissures, and

one very large horizontal fracture reaches along the whole east side. The west and north sides

are similar regarding the amount of damage and decay. Lichens and mosses are mostly small,

but the sugaring is much more progressed than on the other sides. The marble is most porous

from the west-north corner and along the whole north side. There is also a large horizontal

fracture on the north side, but it does not seem to be connected to the fracture on the east side.

Conservation was made by Victoria Bly under supervision by A. Freccero and E. Andersson.


• Removal of mosses with a scalpel.

• Biocide treatment (GrönFri).

▪ Removal of lichens and remaining mosses with scalpel, brushes, soap and water.

• Second biocide treatment.

• Continued removal of lichens, dirt and mosses. Using the same methods.

• Treatment with diammonium phosphate, covered with wet paper tissue and

plastic until the paper had dried completely.

• Reattachment of minor fragments, using Akfix G400 marble adhesive.

• Reattachment of the large fragment by drilling one hole in the fragment and one

in the capital, attaching a pin of stainless steel, and the same glue as mentioned above.

• Infillings in fissures and fractures using slaked lime and crushed marble.

• Retouching the infillings with aquarelle paint.

Fig.27, before conservation. Fig.28. Detail, during conservation.

19

Fig. 29. Corinthian capital, inv. B45.

20

Corinthian Capital 4

Inv. B 146


Measures, cm: height: 47, diameter max: 69, circumference max: 202.

Marble: Fine-grained white marble.


Bibliography: Liljenstolpe and von Schmalensee 1996; Hellström 2007,

125-147.

Photos and drawing: Adam Justin Moll.

Description

Corinthian capital which originally was decorated with

volutes in the corners, flowers between the volutes, and

acanthus leaves on the lower part of the capital. According to

Liljestolpe and von Schmalensee the capital is dated to 102-

114 A.D., during the reign of Emperor Trajan, and was a part

of the North Stoa which was erected by the priest Poleites.


All sides of the capital are worn and damaged. Of the four top corners, only the north-western

is preserved but the volute’s shape has withered away. Acanthus leaves with fairly well

preserved forms can be found on the northern side of the capital, and partially on the eastern

side. The chiselled forms on the capital are fragile and during the conservation treatment

seven small fragments of marble, roughly between 5x5 and 10x10 mm, fell off. The top side

of the capital seems to be more stable than the finely chiselled sides. The surface is covered

with black, white, and brown lichens, and mosses all around. The top has no mosses but

plenty of lichens. The southern side of the capital has more mosses and lichens than the other

sides, and is much more damaged.


Mosses and some lichens were removed with a scalpel. The capital was then treated with

biocide (1/4 Grön-Fri and 3/4 spring water). A day after the capital was treated with biocide,

the surface was cleaned with spring water. Further cleaning with soap water (Grönsåpa) and a

toothbrush was then carried out. During this treatment remaining mosses and lichens were

removed with a scalpel. When the capital was free of mosses and lichens it was consolidated

with diammonium phosphate (25 gr in one litre spring water) which was applied with a brush,

packed in with wet tissue paper, and enclosed with a black plastic bin bag. The consolidation

was left to soak in for approximately 40 hours.

The seven fragments that had fallen off during the treatments were reattached with adhesive

stone glue. Small cracks behind three of the fragments were in-filled with slaked lime and

crushed marble, which was later retouched with water colour.

Drawings, showing missing elements of the ornamentation of the capital, have been made,

along with photo documentation before, during, and after the conservation treatments.

The conservation was carried out by Adam Justin-Moll under supervision by Agneta Freccero

and Erika Andersson.

Fig.30. Before conservation. Fig 31. After conservation.

21

Fig.32. Corinthian capital, inv. B 146.

22



Measures, in cm: Hight: 47, width at the top: 149, width at the bottom: 101.

Marble: Homogeneous white marble with fine grains.


Bibliography: Liljenstolpe & von Schmalensee 1996. Hellström 2007, p. 125-147.

Photos: A . Freccero. Drawing: Anna Enberg.

Description

The Corinthian capital, dated to the reign of Trajan, was lifted from the

ground between the architrave and the stylobate of the stoa in

September 2012, where it had ended up at some point after it was

excavated. The excavation took place between 1948 and 1953.


The part of the capital that had been lying down towards the ground is

in a considerably better condition than the rest of the piece, the

carvings are more intact and there are practically no mosses or lichens

on the white marble. The other sides, as well as the top surface, are

covered with dirt and mosses; lichens are almost nonexistent. All

corner volutes are missing as well as the flowers originally situated

between them at the top of the capital. On one side of the capital there

are no longer any signs of original carvings, as all of these have been

worn down. On the other sides there are several acanthus leaves in different states of

preservation. The marble is partially fragile, some small pieces fall off at touch, and there is

also one major crack on one of the corners. The top surface is severely eroded. On the

drawing of the capital from above the poor state of preservation is clearly demonstrated.


After removing large mosses the capital was treated with biocide on august 27 with a mix of

¼ biocide and ¾ water on the clean side, and ½ biocide and ½ water on the dirty surfaces. The

next day the capital was cleaned with toothbrush and water. After this, cleaning was made

with soap water, using toothbrush and scalpel for the removal of dirt and mosses. To clean the

entire piece in this manner took two days. On August 31 diammonium phosphate (25 gr in one

litre spring water) was applied to the entire surface and the capital was covered with a layer of

damp paper and packed in with plastic. On September 2 the plastic and paper were removed,

and the initial results of the consolidation could be seen on the surface, above all it was

evident that the marble had hardened and was less fragile. Drawings were made of all the

sides of the capital in which the missing elements in the ornamentation were marked out. The

last step was the reattachment of two fragments that had fallen off during cleaning; these were

glued with adhesive stone glue. The small crevices that remained after the reattachment were

filled in with a mix of slaked lime and finely crushed marble. The large fissure on the north

side was also filled in, using the same mix of lime and marble. Finally the fillings were

colored with watercolors so that they would show as little as possible. The conservation was

carried out by Anna Enberg under supervision by Agneta Freccero and Erika Andersson.

Fig.33 and fig. 34: Before conservation. Fig.35: After conservation.

23

Fig.36. Corinthian capital, inv. B141.

24

Column drum Inv. C 3

Location: Andron B.

Measures in m: Column drum: Height 0.97, circumference at the middle

2.51. Base: Height 0.22, circumference at the bottom 3.55.

Marble: White marble with large grains.

Period: Hecatomnid, Maussollos (377-353/2 BC).

Bibliography: Pontus Hellström and Thomas Thieme, “Andronerna”,

Medelhavsmuseets Bulletin 1982?

Photos: A. Freccero.

Description

Column drum C 3 was found fallen on the ground in front of

the base which was still in situ at excavation in and therefore

it did not receive any inventory number.

The column belongs to the Ionic order and is, according to

Pontus Hellström, typical of the Hecatomnid period.


The column is badly damaged at the top where it has some

crevices, two of which need to be filled. Most of the column

and base were covered with mosses and lichens. At the top

the lichens were mainly large ones of the crustaceous type,

while parts facing the north and west mainly presented the

characteristic cyanobacteria which give a black hue to the

stone. A few areas were mainly dirty of soil, except for a

circular area facing south at which there was almost no

biological growth. All external areas of the fluting were in a

bad state of preservation, and most were losing crystals at

touch. The base was very decayed at the concave areas while

the convex ones were in a considerably better condition.


Biocide treatment with GrönFri was performed in September 2012. In August 2013 loose

deposits were removed with a scalpel and a brush, followed by a second application of

GrönFri. At the beginning of September the column was cleaned with soap-water and brushes.

Lichens, mosses and deposits of soil were removed with scalpels. After cleaning it was

consolidated with diammonium phosphate covered with wet tissue paper and plastic sheets.

After 2 days the covers were removed. During the last two working-days the base was cleaned

too, after which it was treated with biocide.

Conservation was performed as teamwork by all persons in the conservation group.

Analyses

Analyses of biological development were made at CNR/ICVBC. A sample of black surface

deposit was identified as cyanobacteria, which give a black hue to the marble because they

develop on and inside the stone.

Fig.37. The column drum before conservation.

Fig.38. The column drum during conservation.

25

Fragment of anta capital Inv. M2013-1

Location: The Temple Terrace, building M.

Measures in cm: height: 14, diameter max: 25, circumference max: 65

(around the top)

Marble: White marble.

Period: Probably Roman, early 2nd

century AD.

Bibliography: Unpublished.

Photos: A. Freccero. Drawing: Anna Plahn.

Description

Fragment of an Ionian anta capital,


The fragment, which was found in the earth during excavation,

was very frail and crystals fell at touch.


It was decided to lightly wipe off the loose soil and give the marble a light cleaning with

water and a very soft brush, and then proceed with consolidation to gain a material stability

that permitted further examination. After approximately 40 hours the anta capital was still

frail. A drawing was made in scale 1:5 and it was decided to consolidate it a second time.

The conservation was carried out by Anna Plahn under supervision by Agneta Freccero and

Erika Andersson.

Figs.39, 40, above: The fragment after cleaning and consolidation.

Fig.41, below. Anta capital fragment, inv. M2013-1.

26

Architrave fragment with inscription Inv. K 81

Location: South Propylaea, left side of the gateway.

Measures in m: Height: 0.49 m, thickness 0.54 m, length 1.65 m.

Marble: White marble.

Period: Hekatomnid, Idrieus (351-344 BC).

Bibliography: Crampa 1972, 15-17, pl. 3 fig. 18;

Jeppesen 1955, 24-27; Westholm 1963, 96-98, 117.

Photos: A. Freccero. Drawing: Anna Enberg.

Description

The block which was found in the excavation of 1949, was part of the architrave of the South

Propylaea. Originally the architrave, constructed of three blocks, was 10.35 m long. The left

side block was broken in two parts K4 (0.81 m) without inscription and K 81 (1.65 m) on

which the dedication of the gateway begins.

The front face is divided in two fasciae, the upper which carries the inscription, projects over

the lower with 1.5 cm. The face is crowned with egg-and tongue above bead-and-reel.

12 letters were inscribed on block K 81:

ΙΔΡΙΕΥΣ ΕΚΑTO

An early photograph presented in Crampa’s publication shows an antique repair just below the

central letters IEYΣ.


The block, which at some time fell on the ground, is broken into two parts at the area of the

antique repair. A portion of the block and part of the inscription is missing. The top of the

letter Ρ is gone as well as the rest of Idreus's name, that is the letters ΙΕΥΣ. The first letter in

the name Hekatomnos, namely the letter Ε, is also missing. The following letter Κ is only

partly preserved but the last letters ΑTO are still in their place. The inscribed side which has

been buried in the ground is dirty with soil but in a good condition, contrary to the uncovered

sides which are stained and present biological growth, mainly lichens. The preserved and

partly preserved letters are distinct since they have not been worn down. The damage done to

the piece has rather occurred due to the mentioned fall, which has resulted in a clean break.

The missing part of the inscription as well as the piece that made up the antique repair are

unfortunately missing, they could possibly be retrieved from somewhere in front of the

propylon, on the left side, where our fragment was found. The ornamentation on top of the

architrave is partly intact but the condition of the marble is fragile and crystals fall of at touch,

this is also the case with all the other top edges.


The conservation of this fragment has been confined to the front, top and right side surfaces

since these are the ones that are easily visible for the visitor. First the named surfaces were

cleaned with soap water and a soft brush on September 2, after which the top was treated with

biocide. On September 3 the lichens and mosses were mechanically removed using toothbrush

and scalpel, this after soaking the marble with soap water. The next day the fragment was

consolidated with diammonium phosphate (25 gr in one liter spring water) and the surfaces

were covered with a layer of damp paper and packed in with plastic.

Fig. 42: before conservation.

27

When the paper and plastic were removed one could detect as an immediate result that the

stone was cleaner and harder than before. A quick search for the missing fragments was

carried out before departure from Labranda. A big piece that was originally part of K 81 was

retrieved from between the stones lying on top of the staircase of the propylon. Several other

small fragments that might also be part of K 81 were found in the same place. All these

fragments were collected and placed right behind our inscription. During next year’s

campaign the conservation work on K 81 is planned to be continued. Hopefully more

fragments can be found and possibly the inscription could be partly reassembled to look more

like it did in its original state.

The conservation was made by Anna Enberg under supervision by A. Freccero and E.

Andersson.

Fig.43, above: Architrave fragments K4 and K 81.

Fig.44, below: Architrave fragment, inv. K 81.

28

List of Conservation Materials

Cleaning and biocide treatments Grön såpa, natural saponified pine-oil soap

Grön Fri, biocide solved in water, containing 10% kvartära ammoniumföreningar

Natural Labraunda spring water

Consolidation Diammonium Phosphate , 25 gr in 1 l water.

Infillings and retouches Lime

Marble, crushed

Rembrandt Artist’s water colour (aquarelle paint)

Marble Glue AkFix G400, Granite and Marble adhesive.

Material Used for Tests Bindzil CC301, colloidal silica, solved in water, plus 2-4% etanol. PH 5-9.

Bindzil CC401, colloidal silica, solved in water, plus 2-4% etanol. PH 5-9.

Casein/limewater. Casein powder dissolved in water to which lime water was added.

Diammonium phosphate (NH4)2(HPO4), consists of ammonium cations and phosphate anion. Crystalline powder

soluble in water. PH 7.8-8.5 (5%)

Calcium oxalate 15% in spring water

Distilled water

Bibliography Attanasio 2003 Donato Attanasio, Ancient White Marbles. Analysis and Identification by

Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Roma 2003.

Bağci et alii 2010 Metin Bağci, Yaşar Kibici, Ahmet Yildiz, Ömer Tezcan Akinci “ Petrographical

and geochemical investigation of the Triassic marbles associated with Menderes

massif metamorphics, Kavaklidere, Muğla, SW Turkey”, in Journal of

Geochemical Exploration 107 (2010) 39-55

Cramer 2004 Thomas Cramer, Multivariate Herkunftsanalyse von Marmor auf petrografischer

und geochemischer Basis, Berlin 2004.

Crampa 1969 Jonas Crampa “Labraunda. Swedish Excavations and Research vol III, part I: 1-

12 The Greek Inscriptions (period of Olympichos)”, in Skrifter utgivna av

Svenska Institutet i Athen, 4, V, III.1, Lund 1969.

Crampa 1972 Jonas Crampa “Labraunda, Swedish Excavations and Research vol III, part II:

13-133. The Greek Inscriptions” in Skrifter utgivna av Svenska Institutet i

Athen, 4, V, III.2, Stockholm 1972.

Hellström 2007 Pontus Hellström, Labraunda. Zeus Labraundos helgedom i Karien. En

beskrivning av de svenska utgrävningarna, Istanbul 2007.

Liljenstolpe 1996 Peter Liljenstolpe and Patric von Schmalensee “The Roman Stoa of Poleites at

Labraynda”, in Opuscula Atheniensia XXI:8, 1996.

Monna, Pensabene 1997 D. Monna and Patrizio Pensabene, Marmi dell’Asia Minore, Roma 1997.

Prochaska, Attanasio 2012 W. Prochaska, D. Attanasio,”Tracing the origin of marbles by inclusion fluid

chemestry”, in Interdisciplinary studies on Ancient Stone, Tarragona 2012, 230-

237.

Prochasca, Grillo 2012 W. Prochasca, S.M. Grillo, “The marble quarries of the metropolis of Ephesos

and some examples of the use for marbles in Ephesian architecture and

sculpting”, in Interdisciplinary studies on Ancient Stone, Tarragona 2012, 584-

591.

Documents

LABRAUNDA MARBLES - uu.seuu.se/digitalAssets/184/184426_labraunda_report_2013.pdfLABRAUNDA MARBLES Conservation Report ... 2 A diffractometer for powder X’Pert Powder of the PANalytical