Utilization of Optimized Mortars by wastes materials in the Stabilization of the Body and Floor of the Graves of the Iron Age Museum in Tabriz

Lime-based mortars have been highly acceptable and preferred for conservation and restoration since a long time ago for their acceptable features towards moisture. Meanwhile, there is an ascending moisture problem in the majority of the archaeological sites having been converted into museum with the conservation of the remnants resulting from excavations (such as bone remnants and buried objects). Accordingly, it seems that use of compatible mortars is one of the best methods for reducing the moisture’s damage, considering the urgent need for the stabilization of the graves’ collapsing bodies and isolation of their floors. The preset study concentrates on the graves and skeleton remnants in Tabriz Iron Age Museum Site and aims at stabilization of the graves’ bodies as well as reburial of the historical bones and preventing them from exposure to ascending moisture through the use of lime-based mortars optimized by natural pozzolans, rice husk ashes, manure and wood. The results obtained from the physical tests (densitometry, prorosimetry, water absorption analysis and capillarity) and strength tests (accelerated aging experiments including wetting and drying cycles, freezing and defrosting and salt cycle and endurance) on various mortar rates indicated that the combinations made of pozzolans and manure ash feature better physical endurance properties as evidenced in the strength tests. According to the above findings, the mortar reinforced with the manure ash was selected for the conservation and restoration of the body and floor of the graves in Tabriz Iron Age Museum Site. The results of such measures were found promising after the passage of two years.