An Evaluation of the Conservation State of the Mosaic Floor of the Virgin Church, Madaba, Jordan

Abstract

This study aims to diagnose the current conservation state of the mosaic floor of the virgin church in Madaba in Jordan, and to identify the mosaic materials as well as the deterioration forms on the mosaic floor. To achieve these objectives, several investigation and analysis methods were used, such as: visual and optical examination, Scanning Electronic Microscope attached to energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDS) and X-Ray Diffraction(XRD). These methods revealed that Calcite is the main mineral of all limestone tesserae samples (CaCO3, Calcium Carbonate) and the calcite here is the microcrystalline Calcite which is known minerologically as (Micrite). All the stones surfaces seem to be inhomogeneous pitted, curviplanar, surface-planar and highly fractured forms . Large areas of the weathering crusts were destroyed and rich in dissolution voids and micro-cracks. Addition to that, other aspects of flaking, and highly fissured nature of decayed crusts were also observed In addition, the mosaic floor was exposed to different deterioration aspects such as: lacunae, incrustation, depressions, bulge, detachment between preparatory layers, salt efflorescence, and biological activity. The study confirms that it is necessary to conserve the mosaic floor in order to avoid further damage.