Architectural and environmental controls on long-term limestone weathering of coastal fortifications: The case of Famagusta (Cyprus)
Abstract
Stone decay affecting coastal fortifications is commonly interpreted as the combined result of material properties and environmental exposure, yet the respective roles of lithology, architectural configurations and long-term system evolution remain difficult to disentangle in multi-phase monuments. The fortified city of Famagusta (Gazima˘ gusa, Cyprus) provides a unique case study to address this issue over a multi-centennial timescale.
This study combines archival and archaeological analysis, multiscale Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, surface-based photo-interpretation, non-destructive field measurements (Leeb hardness and water absorption) and targeted laboratory analyses to quantify and interpret limestone decay across Lusignan (ca. 1300 CE) and Venetian (ca. 1500 CE) fortification phases.
SfM-derived erosion-depth metrics and surface-based weathering indicators reveal strong spatial contrasts in degradation intensity, primarily structured by coastal proximity, wall orientation and architectural configuration. Despite similar environmental exposure, Lusignan masonry consistently exhibits higher erosion depths and surface weathering rates than Venetian masonry. Laboratory analyses and in situ measurements demonstrate that limestones used during both construction phases belong to the same lithological facies and display comparable intrinsic physical properties when compared at equivalent alteration states, ruling out a first-order lithological control.
These results indicate that the observed reduction in decay intensity from the Lusignan to the Venetian period reflects a change in the response of the wall system to environmental forcing, driven by architectural reconfiguration, jointing practices and internal moisture redistribution, rather than a change in lithology or external forcing. This integrated approach highlights the importance of construction history and boundary conditions in interpreting long-term stone decay in coastal built heritage.
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BibTeX
@article{vautier2026architectural,
title = {{Architectural and environmental controls on long-term limestone weathering of coastal fortifications: The case of Famagusta (Cyprus)}},
author = {Franck Vautier and Bruno Phalip and Jean-Pierre Toumazet and Marie-Françoise André and Olivier Voldoire and Gilles Fronteau and Céline Thomachot-Schneider and Mhammed Benbakkar and Erwan Roussel},
journal = {Geomorphology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110450},
url = {https://univ-reims.hal.science/hal-05835240v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Architectural and environmental controls on long-term limestone weathering of coastal fortifications: The case of Famagusta (Cyprus)
AU - Franck Vautier
AU - Bruno Phalip
AU - Jean-Pierre Toumazet
AU - Marie-Françoise André
AU - Olivier Voldoire
AU - Gilles Fronteau
AU - Céline Thomachot-Schneider
AU - Mhammed Benbakkar
AU - Erwan Roussel
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - Geomorphology
DO - 10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110450
UR - https://univ-reims.hal.science/hal-05835240v1
AB - Stone decay affecting coastal fortifications is commonly interpreted as the combined result of material properties and environmental exposure, yet the respective roles of lithology, architectural configurations and long-term system evolution remain difficult to disentangle in multi-phase monuments. The fortified city of Famagusta (Gazima˘ gusa, Cyprus) provides a unique case study to address this issue over a multi-centennial timescale. This study combines archival and archaeological analysis, multiscale Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, surface-based photo-interpretation, non-destructive field measurements (Leeb hardness and water absorption) and targeted laboratory analyses to quantify and interpret limestone decay across Lusignan (ca. 1300 CE) and Venetian (ca. 1500 CE) fortification phases. SfM-derived erosion-depth metrics and surface-based weathering indicators reveal strong spatial contrasts in degradation intensity, primarily structured by coastal proximity, wall orientation and architectural configuration. Despite similar environmental exposure, Lusignan masonry consistently exhibits higher erosion depths and surface weathering rates than Venetian masonry. Laboratory analyses and in situ measurements demonstrate that limestones used during both construction phases belong to the same lithological facies and display comparable intrinsic physical properties when compared at equivalent alteration states, ruling out a first-order lithological control. These results indicate that the observed reduction in decay intensity from the Lusignan to the Venetian period reflects a change in the response of the wall system to environmental forcing, driven by architectural reconfiguration, jointing practices and internal moisture redistribution, rather than a change in lithology or external forcing. This integrated approach highlights the importance of construction history and boundary conditions in interpreting long-term stone decay in coastal built heritage.
SN - 0169-555X
SN - 0169-555X
ER -