Статья

Archaeometric study of a Romanian cave dwelling: mineral composition and conservation aspects

Alexandru IlieșDepartment of Geography Tourism and Territorial Planning, University of Oradea, Center of Territorial Studies and Analyses, Oradea, RomaniaAndrei Ionuț ApopeiDepartment of Geology, Faculty of Geography and Geology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, Iași, RomaniaGabriela IlieșFaculty of Geography, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj Napoca, RomaniaZharas G. BERDENOVFaculty of Science, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Nur-Sultan, KazakhstanVlad Constantin ManeaComputational Geodynamics Laboratory, Instituto de Geociencias, Nacional Autonoma de México, Queretaro, MexicoDorina Camelia IlieșDepartment of Geography Tourism and Territorial Planning, University of Oradea, Center of Territorial Studies and Analyses, Oradea, RomaniaTudor CacioraDepartment of Geography Tourism and Territorial Planning, University of Oradea, Center of Territorial Studies and Analyses, Oradea, RomaniaLucian Barbu-TudoranElectron Microscopy Center “Prof. C. Craciun”, Faculty of Biology & Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaNicolaie HodorDepartment of Physical and Technical Geography, Faculty of Geography, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaMuhannad M. AlfehaidImam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Department of Geography and GIS, College of Social Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaAlexandru TurzaNational Institute for R&D of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaMarina ManeaComputational Geodynamics Laboratory, Instituto de Geociencias, Nacional Autonoma de México, Queretaro, MexicoAna Cornelia PereșDepartment of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, Oradea, RomaniaBahodirhon SafarovZarmed University, Bukhara, UzbekistanHassan H. ThowayebSocial Studies Department, College of Arts, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

npj Heritage Sciencejournal2026en

ABI

Аннотация

This study evaluates the conservation potential of nano-sepiolite, a natural magnesium silicate, applied to micaceous quartz arenite from the Piatra Lată cave dwelling (Jac, Romania). The site, carved into friable sandstone, typifies vulnerable traditional Romanian cave habitats, threatened by environmental degradation as well as microbial colonization. Integrated analyses revealed angular quartz grains in a clay-rich, weakly cohesive matrix, affected by moderate burial diagenesis. Pre-treatment SEM showed high interparticle porosity, weak cohesion, and a microporous surface prone to moisture retention. Nano-sepiolite was applied by brushing, improving the cohesion of the granules, partially filling the pores and forming a consolidating crust, without severely modifying the mineralogy of the substrate. Concurrent indoor air monitoring over 1 year revealed high humidity and poor ventilation, factors that accelerate physical, chemical, and biological decay. Results confirm that nano-sepiolite is a compatible, non-invasive consolidant, enhancing structural stability and durability of porous lithologies. Its use may support long-term preservation strategies for similar vulnerable rock-carved heritage sites.

Темы

Building materials and conservation Karst Systems and Hydrogeology Geology and Paleoclimatology Research

Идентификаторы

DOI: 10.1038/s40494-025-02130-x

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