Plasters and mortars from the theatre in Nea Paphos (Cyprus): A multidisciplinary study

The study of plasters and mortars constitutes a relevant tool in reconstructing the technological knowledge of the workforces at play. Through a multidisciplinary and multiscale approach, this project characterizes selected samples from the Hellenistic-Roman theatre in Nea Paphos (Cyprus), highlighting the characteristics of the raw materials, the productive processes, and the functional properties. Petrographic analysis combined with x-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy allowed to collect a complete set of elemental, mineralogical and chemical data, all essential for the correct characterization of the samples. According to our results, it appears clear that both Hellenistic and Roman workforces were able to exploit all the raw materials locally available, displaying a remarkable knowledgeability on how to enhance the performance of the mortar mixtures creating a durable and resistant material that survived to this day. Our results display how a conscient choice was made in the selection of the typologies of plasters and mortars for the fulfilment of different purposes. Furthermore, natural hydraulic lime (NHL) was identified in association with a water-related structure.