Preliminary report on engineering properties and environmental resistance of ancient mud bricks from Tell el-Retaba archaeological site in the Nile delta

• Autorzy: Trzciński J. , Zaremba M. , Rzepka S. , Welc F. , Szczepański T.

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.1515/squa-2016-0005

• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

The archaeological site Tell el-Retaba in north-eastern Egypt, about 35 km to the west of Ismailia city, is located in the middle of Wadi Tumilat, a shallow valley running from the Nile Delta to the Bitter Lakes, along which flows the Suez Canal. In ancient times the valley was a route between Egypt and Syro-Palestine, strongly fortified in the New Kingdom times (16th–11th century BC). Mud bricks were analyzed from two parts of the Wall 1 (core of grey-brown bricks and inner extension of green bricks) in a fortress which existed during the Ramesses II times. Grain-size composition of the studied bricks was almost identical in both parts of the wall, suggesting the same source material for a production of brick. However, significant differences were observed in physical and mechanical properties (uniaxial compressive strength) in both types of bricks. Bricks from the core had lower bulk density, higher porosity and soak faster, whereas their resistance parameters were much lower than those of the bricks from the inner extension. The reason for such large differences in brick properties was a technology of their production, particularly proportion of components, water volume added during brick formation or density degree. Brick preparation and in consequence, physical-mechanical properties had direct influence on preservation of defensive structures during environmental changes related to changes of groundwater and surface water levels or of precipitation. Ancient Egyptians responsible for construction works in mud brick structures of the fortress must have had good knowledge and experience. This could be observed particularly for the heaviest and most important construction element that is the defensive wall, founded on well-densified deposits. It was also testified by higher resistance of green bricks from the inner extensions, which probably originated slightly later and were intended to reinforce a weaker core built of grey-brown bricks.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

ancient Egypt; mud bricks; physical parameters; compressive strength

• Wydawca: Institute of Geological Science Polish Academy of Science
• Czasopismo: Studia Quaternaria
• Rocznik: 2016
• Tom: Vol. 33, Nr 1
• Strony: 47--56
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 19 poz., rys.

Twórcy

autor

Trzciński J.

• Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland

autor

Zaremba M.

• Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland

autor

Rzepka S.

• Institute of Archaeology, University of Warsaw, Krakowskie Przedmieście 26/28, 00-927 Warsaw, Poland

autor

Welc F.

• Institute of Archaeology, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland

autor

Szczepański T.

• Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland

Bibliografia

• 1. Brunton, G., Caton-Thompson, G., 1928. The Badarian Civilisation and Predynastic Remains Near Badari. London, BSAE.
• 2. Clarke, S., Engelbach, R., 1930. Ancient Egyptian construction and architecture. New York.
• 3. French, C.A.I., 1981. An analysis of the sediment at East Karnak. JSSEA, 11: 78–263.
• 4. French, C.A.I., 1984. A sediments analysis of the mud brick and natural features at El Amarna. In: B.J. Kemp (Ed.), Amarna Reports I,. London, EES, 189 – 202.
• 5. Górka, K., Rzepka, S., 2011. Infant burials or infant sacrifices? New Discoveries from Tell el-Retaba. Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts Kairo 67, 93–100.
• 6. Hayes, W.C., 1965. Most Ancient Egypt. Chicago and London. Univ. Chicago Press.
• 7. Kaczyński, R., 1981. The strength and deformability of the Upper Miocene clays Foredeep (Wytrzymałość i odkształcalność górno mioceńskich iłów zapadliska przedkarpackiego). Biuletyn Geologiczny Wydziału Geologii UW, 29, 105–193.
• 8. Kemp, B., 2009. Soil (including mud – brick architecture). In: P.T. Nicholson, I. Shaw (Eds), Ancient Egyptian Materials and technology. Cambridge.
• 9. Lacovara, P., 1984. Archaeology and the decay of mudbrick structures in Egypt I. NARCE 128, 20–21.
• 10. Naville, E., 1887. The shrine of Saft-El-Henneh and the Land of Goshen. Egypt Exploration Fund Memoir 5, London.
• 11. Petrie, W.M.F., Duncan, J.G., 1906. Hyksos and Israelite Cities. British School of Archaeology in Egypt 12, London.
• 12. PKN-CEN ISO/TS 17892-7, 2004. Badania geotechniczne. Badania laboratoryjne gruntów, 7: Badanie na ściskanie gruntów drobnoziarnistych w jednoosiowym stanie naprężenia. PKN, Warszawa.
• 13. PN-88/B-04481. Grunty budowlane. Badania próbek gruntu. Rzepka, S., Wodzińska, A., Hudec, J., Herbich, T., 2009. Tell el-Retaba 2007–2008. Ägypten and Levante 19, 241–280. Rzepka, S., Wodzińska, A., Malleson, C., Hudec, J., Jarmużek, £.,
• 14. Misiewicz, K., Małkowski, W., Bogacki, M., 2011. New Kingdom and the Third Intermediate Period in Tell el-Retaba. Results of the Polish-Slovak Archaeological Mission, Seasons 2009-2010. Ägypten and Levante 21, 139–184.
• 15. Rzepka, S., Nour el-Din, M., Wodzińska, A., Jarmużek, £., 2012/ 2013. Egyptian Mission Rescue Excavations in Tell el-Retaba, 1: New Kingdom Remains. Ägypten and Levante 22/23, 253–288.
• 16. Rzepka, S., Hudec, J., Wodzińska, A., Jarmużek, £., Hulková, L., Dubcová, V., Piorun, M., Šefèáková, A., 2014. Tell el-Retaba from the Second Intermediate Period till the Late Period. Results of the Polish-Slovak Archaeological Mission, seasons 2011-2012. Ägypten and Levante 24, 41–122.
• 17. Rzepka, S., Hudec, J., Jarmu¿ek, £., Dubcová, V., Hulková, Odler, M., L., Wodzińska, A., Trzciński, J., Šefèáková, A., Sójka, P., Fulajtar, E., Èerný, M., Tirpák, J., 2015. From Hyksos settlers to Ottoman pipe smokers. Tell el-Retaba 2014. Ägypten and Levante 25, 97–166.
• 18. Welc, F., Trzciński, J., 2013. Geology of the Site, In: F. Welc, J.
• 19. Trzciński, M. Kaczmarek, I. Kozieradzka-Ogunmakin, A. Kowalska, T.I. Rzeuska, Z. Godziejewski with a contribution by W. Weker, Geology, Anthropology, Finds, Conservation, Saqqara V, Old Kingdom structures between the Step Pyramid Complex and the Dry Moat, K. Myśliwiec (Ed.), Varsovie 2013, Part 2, 323–343.

Uwagi

PL

Opracowanie ze środków MNiSW w ramach umowy 812/P-DUN/2016 na działalność upowszechniającą naukę.