A combined petrographic and geochemical metrological approach to assess the provenance of the building limestone used in the Batalha Monastery (Portugal)

Abstract

To verify the provenances of limestones that were used for construction and restoration of the Batalha Monastery, limestone quarries in central Portugal were investigated. Samples were collected from quarries and monastery in field investigation. The elements-alignment of calcium and strontium based on XRF result has suggested the source of fragments from different parts the monastery. Observation of the thin sections has supplemented petrographic evidence for this identification. XRD, TGA were also used for acquiring mineral information and chemical composition of the stones. This origin tracing result supplies foundation for further research of stone decay and reservation of the Batalha Monastery.