Cassitti Patrick

Mortar Technology and Construction History at Müstair Monastery

Project Number: CH-6017

Project Type:	Research_Project
Project Duration:	01/03/2017 - 03/01/2021 project completed
Funding Source:	other ,
Leading Institution:	Stiftung Pro Kloster St. Johann
Project Leader:	PD Dr. Patrick Cassitti Wissenschaft Stiftung Pro Kloster St. Johann Kloster 7537 Müstair e-Mail: patrick.cassitti(at)muestair.ch

related to this project.

for which the project has a relevance.

Research Areas:

Living Space

Disciplines:

Archaeology

Keywords:
Archäologie, Geschichte, Geologie, Mineralogie

Abstract:
Building materials reflect natural resources as well as cultural choices. Methods of preparation and construction vary with period and purpose, but can tell also of skills and working conditions. With the movement of men, animals and materials also technologies and ideas get transported and create connections between sites far apart. The UNESCO World Heritage site of the convent of St John at Müstair is exceptionally well suited for a study of the development of stone building technology, because it has a history of almost continuous construction activity for over a thousand years. It boasts about 5000 samples of mortar from all periods, which allow – after careful selection – to correlate certain mortar types with period and function, as well as specific preparation and application methods. The project aims to achieve the following main objectives: 1. Identify mortar compositions and their degree of standardisation, as well as purpose driven diversification of recipes, in order to understand the development of mortar production methods and their effect on the performance of mortars in relation to construction types. 2. Identify local and imported construction materials and understand how local availability of natural and human resources influenced the choice of materials and technologies employed. 3. Determine the wider European cultural and historical context of the observed variations in materials used and methods employed. Identify regional and supra-regional networks of material transport and knowledge exchange between the Early Medieval and early modern period (8th to 16th century). The project team adopts an interdisciplinary approach including experts from the humanities, as well as from technological and scientific fields. The integration of building material analyses with studies in cultural history will contribute to a new perception of past societies in the Alpine region between Switzerland, Italy and Austria.

Leading questions:
The research aims to achieve the following objectives: 1. Deepen the knowledge about the mortars used in Müstair and their characteristics. 2. Improve the understanding of how the changes in raw materials or their relative amounts affects the performance of the mortars and what impact these variations have on the construction of stone buildings in the past. 3. Compare the mortar technology and construction techniques used at Müstair with contemporary buildings in Europe in order to determine regional or supra-regional influences and networks of knowledge-exchange. 4. Identify the supply sources of raw materials, understanding the manufacturing technology and application. 5. Use the data collected on the mortars in order to discern between functional and historically/culturally motivated variations in building techniques and materials. 6. Provide new insights on the relative and absolute dating of the structures to better understand the construction phases in cases of lack of or ambiguous information. 7. Prepare different recipes of compatible repair mortars to be used in the future restoration works. The project adopts a multidisciplinary approach integrating archaeological research, technological and scientific investigations. On a regional scale, we will look for connections between the geology of the area and natural resources, in relation to the trade routes, settlement patterns and travel routes during the Medieval and Post-Medieval Period between Switzerland, Italy and Austria. This will create a clearer picture also of the technological knowledge and the working conditions of skilled workers, as well as resources, connections and commissions.

Publications:
Publication list on: https://p3.snf.ch/project-169411


Last update: 1/28/22
Source of data: ProClim- Research InfoSystem (1993-2024)
Update the data of project: CH-6017

Go Back