The Impact of the Biological Agent (Hemilepistus) on the Erodibility of Mud Plaster in the Belqis Historical Site, Esfarayen"

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Faculty Member, Art University of Isfahan –Department of Conservation and Restoration of Architectural and Urban Heritage , Isfahan, Iran

10.22034/ahdc.2025.23320.1872

Abstract

Mud plasters have been of interest in the past due to their replaceability and quick and cheap implementation compared to extensive repairs in adobe and mud structures. However, its rapid vulnerability, while contradicting the principles of conservation, seriously threatens the historical structure. The issue facing the historical site of Belqis, located 3 kilometers southwest of Esfarayen in North Khorasan Province, is the rapid erosion of mud plasters applied during restoration efforts over a short period. Although previous studies have indicated that the soil quality in the region contributes to the erosion of earthen materials, a biological factor has also been identified: a species of woodlouse known scientifically as Hemilepistus afghanicus. This species of terrestrial insect, through its biological process of digging extensive tunnels, adapts to harsh thermal conditions and hot and dry areas and continues to live. Although this bionic agent is considered a beneficial metabolic factor of the soil, its biological behavior in historical architectural structures has caused (physical-mechanical) damage that is considered a serious threat in the long term.This research aims to investigate the effects of the biological activities of this woodlouse species on the durability of mud plaster layers at the Belqis historical site. To identify the structure of the tunnels created by the species and to map them, laser scanning of portions of these tunnels was conducted using precise instruments and processed through specialized software. The findings from both fieldwork and literature review indicate that extensive burrowing by this species can lead to the degradation of soil cohesion and physical damage, thereby increasing the exposed surface area of the plaster. This, in turn, accelerates erosion under environmental factors such as moisture. Because in a situation where the weakness of the soil in the region in terms of adhesion is considered an important factor in the damage, the biological behavior of this species of terrestrial insect accelerates the erosive effect of thatch on the historical site of Belqis as a biological factor. It seems that investigating physical solutions to deal with this bionic factor by preventing possible damage caused by chemical interventions can be the answer to eliminating or reducing this damaging factor to the thatched roofs of the historical site of Belqis Esfarayen . The use of diatomaceous earth, along with studies of the mineralogy of the soil in the region, is a solution appropriate to this damaging factor.

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References

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Journal of Architecture in Hot and Dry Climate
Volume 12, Issue 20
December 2024
Pages 1-12

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