Radiocarbon dating of mortars: A case study from ancient village Dūré

Abstract

Abstract The absolute chronology of historical structures in regions with limited documentary evidence or organic remains presents a significant challenge for archaeologists and historians. Radiocarbon dating of anthropogenic carbonates, such as mortar binders, offers a potential solution but is often complicated by contamination from geological carbon sources or post-depositional recrystallization. This study presents the first radiocarbon dates obtained from Mg-lime mortars and plasters collected at the ancient village of Dūré, located in the Nahla Valley of Iraqi Kurdistan, with a focus on the church of Bnê Shmunĩ, the valley’s oldest standing structure. This mortars with high magnesium content constitute more complex geochemical systems, which introduce additional challenges to radiocarbon dating procedures. The presented study shows that radiocarbon dating of mortars, when combined with characterization and multiple fraction measurements, can yield meaningful chronological information even in challenging archaeological and build heritage contexts. Radiocarbon measurements of binders from mortars collected from sacred buildings in Iraqi Kurdistan’s Nahla Valley establish a chronological framework for the area’s Christian ecclesiastical architecture, providing a basis for investigating the chronology of Christianization in the valley.