This study investigates the physical, mechanical, and microstructural properties of traditional sarooj mortar, an ancient construction material widely used in the Middle East. Fourteen sarooj mortar mixtures were prepared, and cubic specimens were tested to evaluate compressive strength after 14 and 28 days of curing, while six representative mixtures were further evaluated after 56 and 90 days to investigate long-term strength development. Water absorption and porosity were also measured for all 14 mixtures at 28 days to assess durability-related properties. Microstructural characteristics of selected specimens were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the constituent raw materials, including hydrated lime, aeolian sand, clay, wood ash, and rice husk ash, were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses. The results showed that mortars incorporating rice husk ash achieved higher compressive strength than those containing wood ash, attributed to the likely greater amorphous silica fraction in rice husk ash. Among the investigated mixtures, Bushehr sarooj mortar exhibited the highest 28-day compressive strength. In addition, the inclusion of sodium metasilicate as an accelerator additive significantly promoted earlier compressive strength development in the inherently slow-setting sarooj mortar, while its relative effect decreased with increasing curing age. The findings provide a comparative basis for further evaluation of traditional sarooj mortars for conservation and restoration applications.
Ancient Chinese maps are significant components of historical documentary heritage, yet systematic research on their conservation remains scarce. This study presents the first comprehensive condition survey of ancient Chinese maps, examining 359 titles (939 items) spanning the Ming, Qing, and Republican periods at Fudan University, Shanghai, China. The binding forms of Chinese cartographic materials were classified into single-sheet, traditionally bound, and modern album-bound categories, and each form's vulnerability characteristics were analysed. Damage types were classified into natural, biological, and human-induced categories and graded using criteria adapted from Chinese national standards, with thresholds calibrated to reflect the impact on cartographic information legibility. Discolouration was the most widespread damage type (77.6%), followed by tearing (61.2%) and foxing (55.7%). However, tearing was the most representative type requiring active conservation intervention, as it directly compromises structural integrity and information legibility. Detachment and improper repairs were also notably common. Pearson's chi-square tests confirmed that 11 of 12 damage types were significantly associated with binding category, with tearing showing the strongest association (chi & sup2; = 60.24, p < 0.001, Cram & eacute;r's V = 0.253). The methodology of linking binding form analysis with statistical damage pattern analysis through non-invasive survey offers a transferable model for conservation prioritisation of historical map collections worldwide.
