Although mortars appear to be a common and simple material, they are complicated multi-phase systems. Chemical reactions that take place during setting and weathering cause the formation of new compounds that are difficult to differentiate from the older ones. Thus, archaeological or historic mortars of the same mineral and chemical composition do not necessarily have the same microstructure, physical properties or durability.

The study of archaeological and historic mortars provides a wide range of information about production technologies, raw materials and mix proportions, mechanical properties and deterioration mechanisms. The above information contributes to the archaeological research and provides data for the development of new, compatible conservation mortars.