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Patinas developed in environmental burial conditions: the Neolithic steles of Reguers de Seró (Lleida, Spain)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 17, pages 1287–1299 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Background, aim and scope

Weathering patinas in rocks are the result of interaction processes between rock surfaces and atmosphere, biosphere and soil. Therefore, their textural and mineral composition is strongly related to environmental and bioactivity conditions. Whereas the development of weathering patinas in atmospheric conditions is well documented (e.g. typical Mediterranean patina), only very few studies focus on their formation in a burial environment. Our study of patinas developed on the tumular structure of Reguers de Seró deals with the knowledge of burial patinas from a textural and mineralogical point of view. The aims of this study include: (1) the characterisation of the rock used in this megalithic monument as well as inferences regarding the origin of the raw material; (2) the evaluation of the patinas developed on the surface of the carved steles; and (3) the discussion of the environmental conditions (atmospheric or burial) that favoured the development of the patinas.

Materials and methods

Whole rock and related patinas (powdered samples and small single pieces) were carefully sampled in five of the seven Neolithic steles discovered during a municipal excavation. Some whole rock samples from the surrounding outcrops were also collected in order to correlate them with the stone forming the megalith. Samples were analysed macroscopically, using a glass binocular, and microscopically, by means of a polarising light microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDAX). The mineralogical composition was determined by X-ray diffraction, and a colorimetric analysis was also carried out in all the sampled patinas.

Results

The obtained results evidence a strong textural and mineralogical correlation between the whole rock of the megalith and the collected samples of the nearby outcrops; both are classified as calcarenite. A uniformly distributed beige–orange patina (35–100 μm thick) covering the surface of the steles modifies their aspect. A layer of calcite (micrite) with granular texture was detected in all the sampled patinas, being the main mineral compositions (∼60–90%). In contrast, a discontinuous external layer (25–50 μm thick) of botryoidally gypsum occurs on only a few patinas. SEM-EDAX analyses evidenced that Ca is related to several processes, including inorganic processes, as well as to minor bioactivity.

Discussion

The textural and mineralogical characteristics of the Reguers patinas differ from typical Mediterranean patina sequences, suggesting different environmental conditions for their formation. Several arguments supporting the formation of the Reguers patinas in a burial environment include: (1) patinas cover the entire surface of the steles, iconograhic motifs and fractures. The uniform colour, texture and composition of the patinas throughout the steles suggests their development after the construction of the megalithic tomb during a period in which the archaeological site was buried and sealed by the products of the Senill ravine; (2) the absence of heavy metals mainly contained in flying ashes and other depositions from atmospheric dust and pollutants in the micritic patina; (3) non-appearance of minerals directly formed by biological activity (i.e. oxalates and phosphates); (4) the absence of a well-defined textural sequence (typically of the Mediterranean area) already defined for patinas developed in an atmospheric environment; and (5) the discontinuous occurrence of an external gypsum layer (only present in a few samples) without the presence of the typical spherules related to atmospheric particulate matter.

Conclusions and recommendations

The petrographic characteristics of the Neolithic steles of Reguers de Seró show that the raw material came from a nearby outcrop. The formation of beige–orange patinas is related to a burial environment attending their textural and mineralogical features. The protective role played by these patinas indicates that no previous treatment of such steles would be necessary on an eventual exhibition in atmospheric conditions. Further in-depth studies, similar to those that already exist for patinas developed in atmospheric conditions, are recommended in order to better define the petrographic characteristics and mechanisms on the formation of patinas in burial environments.

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Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank J. Illa and Dr. Javier Garcia-Veigas, the Scientific-Technical Service Unit of the University of Barcelona, for their technical support. This work was carried out in the framework of the Research Consolidated Groups 2009SGR-00444 (Mineral Resources) and SGR-2009-00972 (Fundamental and Applied Petrology and Geochemistry) 2009SGR-198 (Archaeology, Prehistory and Ancient History) funded by AGAUR-DURSI, Generalitat de Catalunya, and by the HAR2008-05256 project of Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. The English of the final version of the manuscript was improved by Frances Luttikhuizen.

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Affiliations

  1. Department Cristal·lografia, Mineralogia i Dip. Minerals, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Maite Garcia-Valles

  2. Department Geoquímica, Petrología i Prospecció Geològica, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Meritxell Aulinas

  3. Department D’Història. Grup de Investigació Prehistòrica, Universitat de Lleida, 25003, Lleida, Spain

    Joan B. López-Melción & Andreu Moya-Garra

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  1. Maite Garcia-Valles
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  2. Meritxell Aulinas
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  3. Joan B. López-Melción
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  4. Andreu Moya-Garra
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Correspondence to Meritxell Aulinas.

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Responsible editor: Zhihong Xu

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Garcia-Valles, M., Aulinas, M., López-Melción, J.B. et al. Patinas developed in environmental burial conditions: the Neolithic steles of Reguers de Seró (Lleida, Spain). Environ Sci Pollut Res 17, 1287–1299 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0308-0

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Keywords

  • Weathering patinas
  • Gravestones
  • Calcite
  • Gypsum
  • Beige–orange crust