Micromorphological and geochemical investigation of formation processes in the refectory at the castle of Margat (Qal'at al-Marqab), Syria

摘要: Margat Castle, located on the eastern coast of Syria, is an outstanding example architecture from Crusader Period, and most important castle Hospitallers, who were one famous Christian military orders during medieval period. Excavations by Syro-Hungarian Archaeological Mission have been conducted with aim better understanding history material culture this part Syrian heritage. Whilst large scale excavation architectural analysis can provide broad changes over lifetime monument, high resolution studies deposits are essential to understand their formation processes, test hypotheses suggested excavation. In refectory at Margat, a series dark overlain pale ‘ashy’ layer, hypothesised be result large-scale burning event. study we aimed hypothesis conducting micromorphological geochemical sequence, first application microarchaeological techniques in Syria. It was observed that composition relates degradation anthropogenic debris constructional through cycles wetting/drying microbial faunal activity, rather than fire/destruction debris. These observations clarified castles' function associated multiple phases ownership.