Arnaud Coutelas
École Normale Supérieure, UMR 8546 AOROC, Department Member
- Roman mortars, Roman brick and tile, Building Materials (Archaeology), Archaeology of Buildings, Architectural terracottas, Brick and tile (Archaeology), and 55 moreLime mortars and plasters, History of lime mortar, Ancient construction (Archaeology), Roman Gaul, Gallo-roman archaeology, Roman Architecture and Urbanism, Roman Baths (Archaeology), Gallo-roman sanctuaries, Corsican archaeology, Corse antique, Pompeii (Archaeology), Roman Wall Painting, Graeco-Roman Mosaics and Wall Paintings, Digital Photogrammetry applied to Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Building archaeology, Toichographologie, Roman Mosaics, Ancient Trade & Commerce (Archaeology), Archaeometry, Archaeometallurgy, Archaeology of Architecture, Archeologie, Roman Architecture, Architettura Romana, Arqueología romana / Roman archeology, Opus Testaceum, Archaeology of Religion, Archéologie Préventive, Stucco, Roman ceramic building material, Greek Architectural Terracottas, Sanctuaires Celtiques Et Gallo-Romains, Roman engineering, Archéologie gallo-romaine, Roman Domus, Ancient Roman Hydraulics, The Use of Marble and Other Stones, Marble Revetments, Petroarcheologie, Petroarchaeology, Roman Water Supply (Archaeology), Roman water management, Roman urban crafts, Augustan Rome, Archeologia dell'architettura, Roman aqueducts, Iron Age Gaul (Archaeology), Hallstatt, La Tene culture, Earth Architecture, Pompeii and Herculaneum, Roman Archaeology, Gabii, and Querns and Millstonesedit
The rising water table has saved some of the marble decorations in the ancient sanctuary of Saint-Martin-au-Val. It has also preserved materials of organic origin. Yet a grey to black material has appeared associated with large stone... more
The rising water table has saved some of the marble decorations in the ancient sanctuary of Saint-Martin-au-Val. It has also preserved materials of organic origin. Yet a grey to black material has appeared associated with large stone shims visible on the plaster surface. These shims are known from Roman plasters. They are traditionally understood to be fitting elements, but this remains hypothetical. The material used is
unprecedented: a kind of mortar made from pitch, beeswax and marble grains. It was obviously used to glue the shims to the underside of the marble slabs. These shims therefore had a completely different function: they were actually used to hold the marble parietal decoration in place, adding points of contact between the decoration and its plaster.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352409X24002700
unprecedented: a kind of mortar made from pitch, beeswax and marble grains. It was obviously used to glue the shims to the underside of the marble slabs. These shims therefore had a completely different function: they were actually used to hold the marble parietal decoration in place, adding points of contact between the decoration and its plaster.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352409X24002700
Research Interests:
The Longeas public baths, at Chassenon (Charente, France), are double imperial-type baths built during the 2nd c. AD. The 25 or 26 vaulted basement rooms are exceptionally well preserved. A meticulous survey was conducted of all of the... more
The Longeas public baths, at Chassenon (Charente, France), are double imperial-type baths built during the 2nd c. AD. The 25 or 26 vaulted basement rooms are exceptionally well preserved.
A meticulous survey was conducted of all of the marks left in the mortar of the vaults and side walls by the workers’ activity, their tools or even the workers themselves or their clothing: painted signs for the construction process, trowel marks, finger marks, imprints of tie beams for scaffolding, saw marks on shuttering boards, graffiti, etc. This provides an unusual understanding of the construction techniques and stages used for these rooms. Also, this survey confirms the predominant use of timber and wood in the builder’s yard and enables questions to be asked about their reuse during the process.
A meticulous survey was conducted of all of the marks left in the mortar of the vaults and side walls by the workers’ activity, their tools or even the workers themselves or their clothing: painted signs for the construction process, trowel marks, finger marks, imprints of tie beams for scaffolding, saw marks on shuttering boards, graffiti, etc. This provides an unusual understanding of the construction techniques and stages used for these rooms. Also, this survey confirms the predominant use of timber and wood in the builder’s yard and enables questions to be asked about their reuse during the process.
Research Interests:
La ville romaine d’Aléria (Corse) a été dégagée essentiellement durant les années 1960 et depuis rares sont les travaux qui ont permis d’améliorer notre connaissance de cette agglomération majeure, restée longtemps capitale de province.... more
La ville romaine d’Aléria (Corse) a été dégagée essentiellement durant les années 1960 et depuis rares sont les travaux qui ont permis d’améliorer notre connaissance de cette agglomération majeure, restée longtemps capitale de province. Une nouvelle étude du bâti a pu être réalisée à l’échelle de la ville, offrant l’opportunité de reprendre et de discuter les interprétations et les identifications anciennes. Le secteur du « Prétoire » et du « Capitole » a notamment été entièrement revu, et sa relation avec « l’arc monumental nord » précisée. L’évolution de l’urbanisme est aussi mieux perçue, plus particulièrement dans le secteur du forum avec, entre autres, des modifications intervenues suite à l’implantation à l’est du temple du culte impérial.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Une réflexion a été lancée en 2011 par le ministère de la Culture et de la Communication sur l’évaluation, la sélection et la conservation sélective des archives du sol. Le sous-groupe « revêtements muraux ou de sol » s’est orienté vers... more
Une réflexion a été lancée en 2011 par le ministère de la Culture et de la Communication sur l’évaluation, la sélection et la conservation sélective des archives du sol. Le sous-groupe « revêtements muraux ou de sol » s’est orienté vers une fiche méthodologique consacrée spécifiquement aux revêtements décoratifs, depuis la phase de la prescription jusqu’au musée. Un premier bilan est proposé ici, rappelant le contexte et précisant dans quel esprit a eu lieu la construction de ce document. C’est finalement une volonté d’éducation et de conservation qui émerge de cette mission sur la sélection du mobilier encombrant. Les principes d’une élimination raisonnée sont toutefois rappelés.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The study of lime mortars and architectural terracotta not only enables a better definition of construction techniques and of different building stages, but also makes it possible to characterize the original construction site. The... more
The study of lime mortars and architectural
terracotta not only enables a better definition of
construction techniques and of different building stages,
but also makes it possible to characterize the original
construction site. The information collected, coupled
with a good knowledge of the local geology, a detailed
analysis of the built structures and possible dates
for the building site, can help determine the reasons
behind changes in lime mortars or batches of terra cotta building materials. These changes can be linked
to variations in the type of sand used (for mortars), to
technical or seasonal interruptions of work, to changes
in the supply of raw materials and other supplies, to the
substantial length of time employed, or to combinations
of all these parameters. The results of analysis of this
type, conducted on several public buildings in Roman
Gaul, are very diverse and lead us to discuss concepts
such as the planning of construction projects and the
management of building sites. Whereas on some sites, planning and/or financial problems, or management shortcomings seem to have occurred, in other cases,
the homogeneity of the building is remarkable.
terracotta not only enables a better definition of
construction techniques and of different building stages,
but also makes it possible to characterize the original
construction site. The information collected, coupled
with a good knowledge of the local geology, a detailed
analysis of the built structures and possible dates
for the building site, can help determine the reasons
behind changes in lime mortars or batches of terra cotta building materials. These changes can be linked
to variations in the type of sand used (for mortars), to
technical or seasonal interruptions of work, to changes
in the supply of raw materials and other supplies, to the
substantial length of time employed, or to combinations
of all these parameters. The results of analysis of this
type, conducted on several public buildings in Roman
Gaul, are very diverse and lead us to discuss concepts
such as the planning of construction projects and the
management of building sites. Whereas on some sites, planning and/or financial problems, or management shortcomings seem to have occurred, in other cases,
the homogeneity of the building is remarkable.
Research Interests:
Coutelas A., Mondy M. et Boulanger K. (2015) – La relation entre les supports de peinture et la fonction des espaces dans le balnéaire de la villa de Damblain (Vosges, France). In Zimmermann N. – Antike Malerei zwischen Lokalstil und Zeitstil, "Denkschriften der phil.-hist. Klasse" 468, 637-642.more
The study of the lime mortars from the wall paintings of Damblain (Vosges, France) was undertaken within the framework of the Collective Research Program on "the Gallo-Roman wall painting in the territories of Leuques and Médiomatriques”,... more
The study of the lime mortars from the wall paintings of Damblain (Vosges, France) was undertaken within the framework of the Collective Research Program on "the Gallo-Roman wall painting in the territories of Leuques and Médiomatriques”, directed by M. MONDY. The main aim was to check if a specific technical inheritance existed in the territories of Leuques and Médiomatriques, and to identify, if possible, workshops of stucco workers.
The baths of the Gallo-Roman villa of Damblain were the objects of study. This thermal complex includes in particular an apodyterium, a corridor, a frigidarium, a cold basin, a tepidarium and a caldarium.
Nearly twenty samples of wall painting were recovered. The majority of the corpus comes from walls, ceilings and vaults. The samples were studied in macroscopy and then, after the preparation of thin sections, in optical microscopy.
The general feeling at the conclusion of this study is that the corpus is rather original. The nature of certain materials and the choices in the realization of the plaster do not clearly stand in relation to the architectural function. Moreover, the distinctions in the plasters are to be put in relation to the nature of the room.
The plasters do not coincide with the diptych "wall painting/vault painting", but with "thermal room stricto sensu ( frigidarium, basin)/annexes (apodyterium, corridor)". A rather simple logic appears, founded on the moisture degree of the room, with a hydride technique for the coating of the corridor placed against the apodyterium and frigidarium.
The composition and the quality of some materials show real weaknesses. Some practice, rather empirical, could indicate a fear for the durability of the coatings, related to the important moisture in the building. But they also indicate the existence of a specific know-how in the team of craftsmen. Moreover, the con- structor had to adapt to the usual economic constraints and probable difficulties to supply the construction
site with adequate raw materials.
The baths of the Gallo-Roman villa of Damblain were the objects of study. This thermal complex includes in particular an apodyterium, a corridor, a frigidarium, a cold basin, a tepidarium and a caldarium.
Nearly twenty samples of wall painting were recovered. The majority of the corpus comes from walls, ceilings and vaults. The samples were studied in macroscopy and then, after the preparation of thin sections, in optical microscopy.
The general feeling at the conclusion of this study is that the corpus is rather original. The nature of certain materials and the choices in the realization of the plaster do not clearly stand in relation to the architectural function. Moreover, the distinctions in the plasters are to be put in relation to the nature of the room.
The plasters do not coincide with the diptych "wall painting/vault painting", but with "thermal room stricto sensu ( frigidarium, basin)/annexes (apodyterium, corridor)". A rather simple logic appears, founded on the moisture degree of the room, with a hydride technique for the coating of the corridor placed against the apodyterium and frigidarium.
The composition and the quality of some materials show real weaknesses. Some practice, rather empirical, could indicate a fear for the durability of the coatings, related to the important moisture in the building. But they also indicate the existence of a specific know-how in the team of craftsmen. Moreover, the con- structor had to adapt to the usual economic constraints and probable difficulties to supply the construction
site with adequate raw materials.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The indices of the lime manufacture and treatment frequently appear on the archaeological sites, from the places of limestone extraction to the building sites. A first assessment is tried here, with consideration to the economic choices... more
The indices of the lime manufacture and treatment frequently appear on the archaeological sites, from the places of limestone extraction to the building sites. A first assessment is tried here, with consideration to the economic choices and techniques which can intervene in each stage of the operational chain.
It seems that the production of lime could form part of the economic activities of the Gallo-Roman villae, but the majority of the structures of combustion would be localised near the sites of extraction of limestone.
The extinction of the quicklime was done mainly by immersion in pits. These structures are rare on the sites of extraction and frequent near constructions. Thus, the lime dispatched on the building sites was quicklime. The conservation of extinct lime was done in the pits. Another structure, lime vat, was smaller and probably employed over the long duration, and was reactivated regularly according to the requirements out of mortar. It allowed in particular the temporary conservation of extinct lime between two phases of construction or maintenance of the building.
Lastly, it appears that the mixing of the mortar was generally carried out on the ground, after just a simple cleaning of surface.
It seems that the production of lime could form part of the economic activities of the Gallo-Roman villae, but the majority of the structures of combustion would be localised near the sites of extraction of limestone.
The extinction of the quicklime was done mainly by immersion in pits. These structures are rare on the sites of extraction and frequent near constructions. Thus, the lime dispatched on the building sites was quicklime. The conservation of extinct lime was done in the pits. Another structure, lime vat, was smaller and probably employed over the long duration, and was reactivated regularly according to the requirements out of mortar. It allowed in particular the temporary conservation of extinct lime between two phases of construction or maintenance of the building.
Lastly, it appears that the mixing of the mortar was generally carried out on the ground, after just a simple cleaning of surface.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This article is a bearing "state of the art" on the mortars containing hydraulic lime and the air lime-based mortars with reactive aggregates: natural and artificial pozzolanas. The analyses of these last years on the Gallo-Roman lime... more
This article is a bearing "state of the art" on the mortars containing hydraulic lime and the air lime-based mortars with reactive aggregates: natural and artificial pozzolanas.
The analyses of these last years on the Gallo-Roman lime mortars show a systematic use of air lime, which supposes a selection of the purest limestone in the geological environment. The field of the Gallo-Roman hydraulic mortars consist mainly in lime mortars with brick dust, natural pozzolanas being not very abundant in Gaule. In the terra cotta, the heat treatment of clays involves the formation of reactive glass, as well as that of pozzolanas. It is considered that only the mortars with fine brick dust make possible to obtain mortars rich in pozzolanic compounds. But the mechanical resistance of many concretes with large fragments of brick and tile proves, following the example junctions between sandy mortars and bricks of a masonry, that the contact reactions between lime and the terra cotta reinforce considerably the mechanical properties of the material. The multispectral image processing allows the study of these edge phenomena.
The analyses of these last years on the Gallo-Roman lime mortars show a systematic use of air lime, which supposes a selection of the purest limestone in the geological environment. The field of the Gallo-Roman hydraulic mortars consist mainly in lime mortars with brick dust, natural pozzolanas being not very abundant in Gaule. In the terra cotta, the heat treatment of clays involves the formation of reactive glass, as well as that of pozzolanas. It is considered that only the mortars with fine brick dust make possible to obtain mortars rich in pozzolanic compounds. But the mechanical resistance of many concretes with large fragments of brick and tile proves, following the example junctions between sandy mortars and bricks of a masonry, that the contact reactions between lime and the terra cotta reinforce considerably the mechanical properties of the material. The multispectral image processing allows the study of these edge phenomena.
Research Interests:
Les mortiers de chaux et de sable : produits d’un artisanat et témoins du chantier de construction. In Doulan C., Laüt L., Coutelas A., Hourcade D., Rocque G. et Sicard S. – Dossier Cassinomagus : l’agglomération et les thermes, résultats des recherches récentes (2003-2010) à Chassenon (Charente)more
Research Interests: Building Materials (Archaeology), Archaeology of Buildings, Ancient construction (Archaeology), Roman mortars, Gallo-roman archaeology, and 6 moreHistory of lime mortar, Roman building technique, Archéologie, Lime mortars and plasters, Characterisation and provenance of ancient mortars, and Roman Archaeology
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
... Fig. 7 : schéma de disposition des elements de toiture (Vipard, 1999). Fig. ... 7 et 8 ; Vipard, 1999, p. 213). M. Frizot a été confronté à plusieurs fragments provenant de la fouille du fanum de Crain, dans l'Yonne (Frizot,... more
... Fig. 7 : schéma de disposition des elements de toiture (Vipard, 1999). Fig. ... 7 et 8 ; Vipard, 1999, p. 213). M. Frizot a été confronté à plusieurs fragments provenant de la fouille du fanum de Crain, dans l'Yonne (Frizot, 1975, p. 229). Plusieurs variantes de formes sont visibles (fig. ...
Research Interests:
The petroarchaeological research on Gallo-Roman lime mortars is based on a simple analytical methodology (the observations by transmission optical microscopy) which brings the maximum of information about the building material and the... more
The petroarchaeological research on Gallo-Roman lime mortars is based on a simple analytical methodology (the observations by transmission optical microscopy) which brings the maximum of information about the building material and the various stages of its chaîne opératoire.
This work allowed us to draw the general features of the profession (the structores and tectores common practices), to establish the relations between the mortar compositions and their “primary” and “secondary” architectural functions, then to perceive which are markers and motivations of the adaptations of mixtures. The importance of the geologic environment is demonstrated, because it leads economic and technical choices, sometimes obliging the replacement of raw materials. It also puts the geographic limits of “the interest” for propagation of the innovations, often connected to local problems of supply in raw materials.
The notions of “wanted”, “missed” and “involuntary” properties allow however to understand what, in the complex system of the lime mortar profession, will be generative of durability or unlike variability of mixtures, in answer to the visible and immediate quality of the material.
At present, only a study of mortars according to their use and for a restricted “region” allows to perceive chronological evolutions with value of dating. The study of mortars of masonry buildings in the city of Arles seems this way exemplary : mortars stemming from the same local technical patrimony show uses perfectly confined in the time, allowing us to advance hypotheses of dating for badly dated masonry structures.
This work allowed us to draw the general features of the profession (the structores and tectores common practices), to establish the relations between the mortar compositions and their “primary” and “secondary” architectural functions, then to perceive which are markers and motivations of the adaptations of mixtures. The importance of the geologic environment is demonstrated, because it leads economic and technical choices, sometimes obliging the replacement of raw materials. It also puts the geographic limits of “the interest” for propagation of the innovations, often connected to local problems of supply in raw materials.
The notions of “wanted”, “missed” and “involuntary” properties allow however to understand what, in the complex system of the lime mortar profession, will be generative of durability or unlike variability of mixtures, in answer to the visible and immediate quality of the material.
At present, only a study of mortars according to their use and for a restricted “region” allows to perceive chronological evolutions with value of dating. The study of mortars of masonry buildings in the city of Arles seems this way exemplary : mortars stemming from the same local technical patrimony show uses perfectly confined in the time, allowing us to advance hypotheses of dating for badly dated masonry structures.