Colegio Maximo de Cartuja in Granada (Spain) was built by the Jesuits in 19th century. Using an archaeometric study of the building materials: bricks, glazed tiles, stained glass windows and lime-gypsum mortars (mortar masonry and concrete masonry), the vernacular concept of this construction was established within the geological framework of the “Alhambra formation”, and raw materials and techniques first used by the Nasrids in the 13th century have been identified. The results of XRD, XRF and DTA analyzes indicate the use of local clays in the manufacture of bricks and tiles fired at temperatures of ≤750 ºC. The clays contained NaCl additives, which improved the ceramic sintering, and traditional Nasrid colours (Cu, Fe, Sn) were used in the glazes and stained glass windows. Local raw materials were also used for air binders. These results have been combined to create a good-practice guide for the sustainable restoration of cultural heritage buildings.

El Colegio Máximo de Cartuja en Granada fue construido por los jesuitas en el siglo XIX. El estudio arqueométrico de sus materiales: ladrillos, azulejos, vidrieras y morteros, define el concepto vernáculo de esta construcción, referenciada en el marco geológico de la “formación Alhambra”, junto a la identificación de materias primas y técnicas utilizadas por los nazaríes desde el siglo XIII. Los resultados de XRD, XRF y DTA confirman el uso de arcillas locales para fabricación de ladrillos y losetas que se hornearon a temperaturas de ≤750 ºC. Las arcillas debieron contener aditivos de NaCl que beneficiaron la sinterización cerámica, y se comprobó el uso de colores de tradición nazarí (Cu, Fe, Sn) en los esmaltes y vidrieras. Las materias primas locales también se usaron para producir aglomerantes aéreos. Estos resultados se han combinado para crear una guía de buenas prácticas para la restauración sostenible de los edificios del patrimonio cultural.

This work was supported by Research Project MAT2016-75889-R, 2017-2019 (Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness); Research Groups HUM 629 and RNM 0179 of the Junta de Andalucia; TOP-Heritage Programme (Madrid Regional Government, ref. P2018/NMT-4372); REMINE Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, and WARMEST Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017; Scientific Unit of excellence "Ciencia en la Alhambra", ref. UCE-PP2018-01, University of Granada. The professional support of the Spanish Network TechnoHeritage (Red de Ciencia y Tecnologia para la Conservacion del Patrimonio) is also acknowledged.

Scientific Unit of excellence "Ciencia en la Alhambra", University of Granada UCE-PP2018-01

REMINE Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions

WARMEST Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017

TOP-Heritage Programme (Madrid Regional Government) P2018/NMT-4372

Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness MAT2016-75889-R

Junta de Andalucia HUM 629 RNM 0179