Archaeometric study of a Romanian cave dwelling: mineral composition and conservation aspects
Ilieș A. Apopei A.I. Ilieș G. Berdenov Z. Manea V.C. Ilieș D.C. Caciora T. Barbu-Tudoran L. Hodor N. Alfehaid M.M. Turza A. Manea M. Pereș A.C. Safarov B. Thowayeb H.H.
December 2026Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
npj Heritage Science
2026#14Issue 1
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.
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Department of Geography Tourism and Territorial Planning, University of Oradea, Center of Territorial Studies and Analyses, Oradea, Romania
Department of Geology, Faculty of Geography and Geology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași, Iași, Romania
Faculty of Geography, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj Napoca, Romania
Faculty of Science, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
Computational Geodynamics Laboratory, Instituto de Geociencias, Nacional Autonoma de México, Queretaro, Mexico
X-Ray Microtomography University Laboratory, Instituto de Geociencias, Nacional Autonoma de México, Queretaro, Mexico
Electron Microscopy Center “Prof. C. Craciun”, Faculty of Biology & Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Department of Physical and Technical Geography, Faculty of Geography, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Department of Geography and GIS, College of Social Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
National Institute for R & D of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
Zarmed University, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Social Studies Department, College of Arts, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Department of Geography Tourism and Territorial Planning
Department of Geology
Faculty of Geography
Faculty of Science
Computational Geodynamics Laboratory
X-Ray Microtomography University Laboratory
Electron Microscopy Center “Prof. C. Craciun”
Department of Physical and Technical Geography
Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU)
National Institute for R & D of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies
Department of Environmental Engineering
Zarmed University
Social Studies Department
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