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Diagnosis of weathering damage on rock-cut monuments in Petra, Jordan

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

Studies of many years—combining in situ investigation and laboratory analysis—have provided comprehensive information on weathering damage on the rock-cut monuments in the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. These rock-cut monuments represent outstanding world heritage. Many hundred monuments were carved by the Nabataeans from bedrock about 2000 years ago. The awareness of increasing weathering damage on the monuments has resulted in international efforts towards their preservation. The damage diagnosis has addressed the complex mutual relationships between stone types, stone properties, monument exposure regimes, environmental influences, weathering phenomena, development and extent of weathering damage and weathering progression. The rocks were classified lithostratigraphically and petrographically. Results on weathering forms, weathering profiles and weathering products obtained from monument mapping, in situ measurements and laboratory studies revealed a complex diversity of weathering phemomena with respect to type and intensity. Damage categories and damage indices were used to create a reproducible quantitative rating of weathering damage. Detailed results on weathering forms allowed the characterization and quantification of weathering progression including weathering prognoses. Stone properties and states of weathering damage were jointly considered for the rating of the rocks’ susceptibility to weathering. The systematic evaluation of weathering damage and monument exposure regimes can enhance the assessment of weathering factors and processes.

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Acknowledgements

The author has carried out the studies in Petra as a former member of the working group ‘Natural stones and weathering’—Geological Institute/RWTH Aachen University. Thanks go to Dr-Ing. B. Fitzner, head of this working group, for providing the opportunity for the research work. The author would like to express his gratitude to the Department of Antiquities of Jordan for cooperation, discussion, advice and all logistical support of the studies in Petra. Further thanks for valuable assistance go to the former Petra Regional Council, the Petra Archaeological Park Office, the Petra National Trust, the Higher Council for Science and Technology and to the Queen Rania´s Institute of Tourism and Heritage, Hashemite University. The author gives his thanks to the German Federal Foreign Office and the German Research Foundation (DFG—Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) for financial support of the studies.

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  1. Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstraße 4-20, 52064, Aachen, Germany

    Kurt Heinrichs

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Heinrichs, K. Diagnosis of weathering damage on rock-cut monuments in Petra, Jordan. Environ Geol 56, 643–675 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1358-1

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