Archaeometric analysis of masnry techniques: The Castle of Pedres in Olbia (13th century)

This study is part of a research in progress, focused on the fortified architectures (11th-16th century), situated in the Northern Sardinia, Italy. The research aims to investigate them through a multidisciplinary approach based on the history of the architecture, the survey and graphic representation, the analysis of masonry techniques by an archaeometric point of view, i.e. dimensional, material and a constructive point of view, paying particular attention to the mineralogical characteristics of components. The Castle of Pedres, built in the 13th century and situated in the area of Olbia, is an application of this methodology. The main aim of this research is to analyse its masonries, underlining the executive peculiarities, for the definition of valid chronological benchmarks, starting from the analysis of dated structures that, as fossil guide, can identify, date and consequently preserve those buildings that are not yet dated.