Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A thorough detection of the mortar materials for Buddhist buildings in Bagan, Myanmar

  • Regular Article
  • Published:
The European Physical Journal Plus Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Bagan is a famous historical city in Myanmar that has many pagodas and temples built in various historical periods. These Buddhist buildings represent Myanmar's ancient architectural arts and valuable cultural heritage. This research examines the typical mortar materials used in several Buddhist buildings built between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries in Bagan, Myanmar, to comprehend the construction technology. Firstly, an investigation of the microstructure and mineralogical compositions of those mortars was performed via a multi-analytical approach, including a multifunctional density tester, SEM–EDS, XRD, TGA and FTIR. Secondly, the chemical analysis method was used to assess the organic additives in the mortar, and the type of protein additives was identified by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). According to the analysis results, the early Bagan Buddhist building mortar is primarily composed of lime, sand and clay, and frequently mixed with organic additives such as vegetable glue, sticky rice starch, animal glue and egg white, belonging to organic–inorganic composite mortar. This research can provide reference documents on the study of construction techniques for Buddhist building materials in Bagan, and it can also be used as a guide when restoring Buddhist temples.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability Statements

All the data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

References

  1. L. Xu, Study on the comprehensive analysis method of traditional mortar materials-taking the hall of mental cultivation of the palace museum as an example, Master Dissertation Zhejiang University, 2018

  2. F.W. Yang, K. Zhang, H. Zhang, B.J. Zhang, A study of traditional blood lime mortar for restoration of ancient buildings. Cem. Concr. Res. 76, 232–241 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. F.W. Yang, B.J. Zhang, C.C. Pan, Y.Y. Zeng, Traditional mortar represented by sticky rice lime mortar—one of the great inventions in ancient China. Sci. China Ser. E Technol. Sci. 6, 1641–1647 (2009)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. S.Q. Fang, T. Yang, B.J. Zhang, G.F. Wei, Impacts of sugar and egg-white as additives on the performance of traditional lime mortar and their mechanisms. Sci. Sin 8, 865–873 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  5. G.F. Wei, S.Q. Fang, Z.G. Li, B.J. Zhang, Physical properties and microscopic structure of tung oil-lime putty. J. Build. Mater. 3, 469–474 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  6. K. Zhang, S.Q. Fang, B.J. Zhang, The application history and scientificity of traditional Chinese egg white mortar. Sci. Sin. Tech. 45, 635–642 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1360/N092014-00154

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  7. F.W. Yang, B.J. Zhang, Q.L. Ma, Study of sticky rice–lime mortar technology for the restoration of historical masonry construction. Acc. Chem. Res. 43(6), 936–944 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Y.Y. Zeng, B.J. Zhang, X.L. Liang, A case study and mechanism investigation of typical mortars used on ancient architecture in China. Thermochim. Acta 473, 1–6 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. X. Weng, B.J. Zhang, S.P. Li, Analysis of construction materials of Xiongnu Tongwan City, built 1600 years ago. Stud. Conserv. 7, 413–422 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. X.B. Liu, X. Ma, B.J. Zhang, Analytical Investigations of traditional masonry mortars from Ancient City walls built during Ming and Qing dynasties in China. Int. J. Archit. Herit. 10, 663–673 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. M.L. Amadori, V. Mengacci, M. Vagnini, A. Casoli, P. Holakooei, N. Eftekhari, K. Lin, Y. Maekawa, G. Germinario, Organic matter and pigments in the wall paintings of Me-taw-ya temple in Bagan valley, Myanmar. Appl. Sci. 11, 11441 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. C.H.T. Force, H.P.C. Bureau, The Colorful Brick Tombs of Deng County (Cultural Relics Press, Beijing, 1958)

    Google Scholar 

  13. S.Q. Fang, H. Zhang, B.J. Zhang, G.F. Wei, G.Q. Li, Z. Yang, A study of the Chinese organic–inorganic hybrid sealing material used in “Huaguang No.1” ancient wooden ship. Thermochim. Acta 551, 20–26 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Z.X. Zhong, X.L. Yin, Q.Y. Hu, Myanmar Introduction (World Publishing Corporation, Beijing, 2012)

    Google Scholar 

  15. M.L. Amadori, P. Fermo, V. Raspugli, V. Comite, F.M. Mini, Y. Maekawa, M.L. Russa, Integrated scientific investigations on the constitutive materials from Me-taw-ya temple, Pagán Valley, Burma (Myanmar). Measurement 131, 737–750 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2018.09.004

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. N.R. Lee, H.S. Lee, K.S. Han, Experimental reinforcement agent for damaged walls of Payathonzu Temple Murals in Bagan Myanmar. J. Conserv. Sci. 4, 284–295 (2020). https://doi.org/10.12654/JCS.2020.36.4.06

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. J. Zhao, Study on Myanmar Bagan Buddhist culture. School of Asian and African Studies (Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing, 2017)

    Google Scholar 

  18. V.K. Rao, The terracotta plaques of Pagan: Indian influence and Burmese innovations. Anc. Asia. 4, Article ID 7 (2013). https://doi.org/10.5334/aa.12310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. M.L. Amadori, P. Fermo, V. Raspugli, V. Comite, F.M. Mini, Y. Maekawa, K. K. Lin, Integrated Scientific Investigations on Constitutive Materials from Temple n.1205a Bagan Valley (Myanmar), The IMEKO International Conference on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (Lecce, Italy, 2017) p. 387–392

  20. M.N. Aung, Archaeological Conservation of Bagan Ancient Monuments in Myanmar,in Proceedings of the Establishment of the Network for Safeguarding and Development of the Cultural Heritage in the Mekong Basin Countries, Seminar and Workshop Establishment for Issues, Problems and Future Challenges of World Heritage Sites and Its Frontal Base Town/ City: Making a Key Step Towards Close Cooperation on Historic City Summit in Southeast Asian Countries Focusing on Siem Reap, Bangkok, Thailand, vol 33, (2017) p. B23–B42

  21. B.D. Culity, S. Stock, Elements of X-ray Diffraction (Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Redwood City, 1978), p.102

    Google Scholar 

  22. L. Xu, X. Ma, B.J. Zhang, Q. Zhang, P. Zhang, Multi-analytical studies of the lime mortars from the Yanxi hall in the Yangxin palace of the palace museum (Beijing). Archaeometry 61(2), 309–326 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.12421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. S.Q. Fang, H. Zhang, B.J. Zhang, Y. Zheng, The identification of organic additives in traditional lime mortar. J. Cult. Herit. 15, 144–150 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2013.04.001

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  24. X.X. Wang, C.S. Zhang, B.J. Zhang, Y.L. Hu, J. Wang, J.X. Zhang, Comprehensive test of tabia at the humen fort sites in Guangdong, China. J. Cult. Herit. 49, 298–304 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. E. Engvall, P. Perlmann, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative assay of immunoglobulin G. Immunochemistry. 8(9), 871–874 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-2791(71)90454-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. B.K. Van Weemen, A.H.W.M. Schuurs, Immunoassay using antigen-enzyme conjugates. FEBS. Lett. 15(3), 232–236 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-5793(71)80319-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. M. Wu, X.H. Zou, B.J. Zhang, F. Zhao, Z.B. Xie, Immunological Methods for the detection of binders in ancient tibetan murals. Microsc. Microanal. 25(3), 822–829 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1431927619000461

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  28. M. Wu, B.J. Zhang, J.C. Yang, Detection of millennial Rosin in empress Xiao’s crown by ELISA. Microchem. J. 154, 104581 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. S. Gopi, V.K. Subramanian, K. Palanisamy, Aragonite-calcite-vaterite: A temperature influenced sequential polymorphic transformation of CaCO3 in the presence of DTPA. Mater. Res. Bull. 48(5), 1906–1912 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2013.01.048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. A. Moropoulou, A. Bakolas, K. Bisbikou, Characterization of ancient, byzantine and later historic mortars by thermal and X-ray diffraction techniques. Thermochimi. Acta. 269–270, 779–795 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-6031(95)02571-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. M. Singh, S.V. Kumar, S.A. Waghmare, P.D. Sabale, Aragonite-vaterite-calcite: polymorphs of CaCO3 in 7th century CE lime plasters of Alampur group of temples. India. Constr. Build Mater. 112, 386–397 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.02.191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. F. Zhou, S.Y. Chen, Study on X-ray diffraction and infrared absorption spectra of Litang laterite weathering crust, Guangxi. Guangxi Geol. 3, 11–20 (1993)

    Google Scholar 

  33. J.Q. Xu, Recent research in foreign soil mineralogy. Arid Zone Res. 3, 28–40 (1986). https://doi.org/10.13866/j.azr.1986.03.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Y.L. Bai, J.Y. Jin, L.P. Yang, The testing technology and equipment of efficient nutrient in soil (China Agriculture Press, Beijing, 2006), p.148

    Google Scholar 

  35. C. Germinario, I. Francesco, M. Mercurio et al., Multi-analytical and non-invasive characterization of the polychromy of wall paintings at the Domus of Octavius Quartio in Pompeii. Eur. Phys. J. Plus. 133(9), 359–370 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2018-12224-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Y. Wang, Y.P. Zhang, S.G. Chen, The characteristics of infrared spectrum of 6 typical zonal soils in China. J. Northwest A & F Univ. 1, 57–61 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  37. J. Otero, A.E. Charola, V. Starinieri, Sticky rice–nanolime as a consolidation treatment for lime mortars. J. Mater. Sci. 54, 10217–10234 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-03618-1

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the National Key R&D Program of China (2020YFC1522402) for providing the financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cultural Heritage and Museology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310028, People’s Republic of China

    Li Luo, Hui Zhu, Bingjian Zhang & Yulan Hu

  2. Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, Xian, 710600, People’s Republic of China

    Ping Zhou

  3. Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, People’s Republic of China

    Bingjian Zhang

Authors
  1. Li Luo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ping Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hui Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bingjian Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yulan Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bingjian Zhang.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Luo, L., Zhou, P., Zhu, H. et al. A thorough detection of the mortar materials for Buddhist buildings in Bagan, Myanmar. Eur. Phys. J. Plus 138, 151 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-023-03726-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-023-03726-7

Search

Navigation