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

A combined petrographic and geochemical study reveals distinct limestone provenances used in the construction and restoration of the Batalha Monastery, Portugal. By analyzing calcium and strontium alignment via X-ray fluorescence (XRF), along with thin-section petrography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), researchers identified multiple quarry sources contributing to different parts of the monastery. This finding provides critical insights for future studies on stone decay and conservation strategies, ensuring the preservation of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ding, Y., Mirao, J., Redol, P., Dias, L., Moita, P., Angellini, E., Grassini, S., & Schiavon, N. (2019). A combined petrographic and geochemical metrological approach to assess the provenance of the building limestone used in the Batalha Monastery (Portugal). https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.4894096