| Title | சுண்ணாம்புச் சாந்து - Cuṇṇāmpuc cāntu (Lime Mortar)சுண்ணாம்புச் சாந்து Cuṇṇāmpuc cāntu |
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| Description | சுண்ணாம்புச் சாந்து - Cuṇṇāmpuc cāntu (Lime Mortar) is a mixture of lime (calcium hydroxide), water, and an aggregate such as sand. It has a lower compressive strength (2-5 MPa) than cement mortar but is more breathable and flexible. It is used for masonry and plastering. |
| Tags | चूना Chunā Lime Mortar Binding Material Surkhi Plaster Binding Lime Mortar Traditional Breathable Binding Agent Calcium Carbonation Lime Plaster Masonry Pozzolan Temple Chuna Binder Kankar Uttarakhand Historic Rajasthan Sudhā Calcination Breathability Telangana Calcium Hydroxide Kalaburagi Calcium Carbonate Traditional Mortar Breathable Mortar Hydraulic Lime Calcium hydroxide Sudha सुरखी Pozzolanic Tibet Lime mortar Traditional mortar Breathable mortar Sikkim Binding material Limestone Udayagiri चूना मसाला Chunā Masālā सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust) Chūnā Cuṇṇāmpu cāntu Cuṇṇāmpuc cāntu சுண்ணாம்புச் சாந்து |
| Material ID | INHFMAT-078085616-20-11-25-CC |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/lime-mortar |
| API Endpoint | https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/lime-mortar |
| Total Sites | 6 |
| Primary Sites | 0 |
| Created | November 20, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 20, 2025 |
| Types | Binding Material Mortar Plaster Binder Binding Agent Calcium Hydroxide Hydraulic Lime Non-Hydraulic Lime Lime-based Mortar Composite Material Adhesive Hydraulic Binder Cementitious Material Fat Lime Kankar Lime Cement Non-Hydraulic Lime Mortar Hydraulic Lime Mortar |
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| Regions | Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh Tamil Nadu Central Province, Sri Lanka Gujarat Pan-India Karnataka Andhra Pradesh Pan India Widespread use across the subcontinent Pan-Indian Bihar Himachal Pradesh Odisha Assam Telangana Haryana Madhya Pradesh Uttarakhand Especially prevalent in traditional structures Jharkhand Maharashtra All of India Punjab Tripura Sri Lanka Widespread Kerala Throughout India Gandhara region Meghalaya Northeast India Across India Especially prevalent in traditional construction Tibet Himalayan Region Sikkim India Chhattisgarh Kabul region Panjab West Bengal Nagaland Especially prevalent in traditional architecture Throughout India and Sri Lanka |
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| Time Periods | 3rd century BCE Medieval Period CE Mughal Period Ancient Period Mughal Period (16th-18th century CE) Ancient times Mughal Period CE Ancient Period BCE Modern Period CE Mughal Period (1526-1857 CE) 3rd century BCE onwards Continuous use throughout Indian history Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1700 BCE) Mauryan Period (322-185 BCE) Ancient Medieval Modern Ancient Times British Colonial Period (1757-1947) Colonial Period 17th century CE Ancient India Mughal 16th century CE Mughal Era Colonial Era Modern Era Qutb Shahi Dynasty Ancient to Medieval 18th Century CE 14th century CE Kakatiya Dynasty (12th-14th century CE) Ancient Period CE Gupta Period (320-550 CE) Ancient to Present 12th century CE British Colonial Period Present Ancient times onwards Colonial Vijayanagara Empire 16th-18th century CE Ahom Kingdom (1228-1826) Pre-colonial Era 17th Century CE 7th century CE Medieval Period 13th century CE Yuan Dynasty Sikh Empire Period CE 11th century CE Kalachuri period Ancient - Present 3rd century BCE (Mauryan Period) Mughal period (16th-18th century CE) 11th Century CE 12th Century CE Maratha Period Ahom Dynasty Period Chola Period (9th-13th century CE) Vijayanagara Period (14th-17th century CE) 3rd century BCE - Present 2nd century CE 18th century CE 8th century CE 14th-17th century CE Nayaka Period (16th-17th century CE) Mauryan period (322-185 BCE) Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646 CE) Mughal Period (16th-19th century CE) Mughal period Colonial Period CE Pre-colonial era |
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| Dynasties | Maurya Gupta Delhi Sultanate Mughal Chola Maurya Dynasty Gupta Dynasty Chola Dynasty Mughal Dynasty Maurya Empire Gupta Empire Mughal Empire Vijayanagara Empire Rajput Mauryan Dynasty Mauryan Katoch dynasty Vijayanagara Mauryan Empire Chalukya Hoysala Qutb Shahi dynasty All dynasties Rajput clans Qutb Shahi Ahom Dynasty Tughlaq Dynasty Kakatiya Various Bahmani Chauhan Dynasty Ghurid Dynasty Khilji Dynasty Rajput Kingdoms All Various dynasties across India and Tibet Chudasama dynasty Gujarat Sultanate Rajput Dynasties Pala Kandyan Reddy Dynasty Jaintia Kings Kushan Ahom Bundela Dynasty Maratha Fifth Dalai Lama's Reign Maratha Empire Namgyal Dynasty Tibetan Empire Sakya Dynasty Sikh Kalachuri Regional dynasties Eastern Ganga Dynasty Yadava Dynasty Portuguese Possibly Tomara or Chauhan Kushan Dynasty Katoch Dynasty British Gahadavala Various regional kingdoms British East India Company Katyuri Gajapati dynasty Chera Dynasty Nayaka Dynasty Nayaka |
| Sources | Limestone quarries Shell deposits Local limestone deposits Local limestone quarries Shell lime production Lime kilns Shell lime production (coastal regions) Shell lime production sites specific geographic sources Local lime kilns Limestone quarries in Rajasthan Shell lime from coastal regions Limestone deposits Shell lime (coastal regions) Brick kilns for Surkhi Limestone quarries across India Specific geographic sources Calcined limestone deposits Shell lime production in coastal areas Specific lime kilns in Odisha Local limestone deposits in Assam Shell lime sources Limestone deposits in Nalgonda district Kilns near Kurukshetra (historically) Locally sourced limestone Shell lime production along coastal regions Local Kankar deposits Local lime kilns near Chandragiri Local limestone quarries near Hyderabad Seashells (for sea lime) specific regional sources Lime kilns near settlements Local kilns Local limestone deposits (specific locations unknown) Kankar (lime nodules) from riverbeds Limestone quarries in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh Shell lime production along coastlines Brick kilns for surkhi Local lime kilns near Mandu Limestone deposits in Madhya Pradesh Shell lime deposits Locally sourced limestone deposits Kilns near construction sites Limestone quarries in various regions Local limestone kilns Traditional lime kilns Lime kilns using locally sourced limestone Kankar deposits specific lime sources Lime kilns using limestone deposits Specific limestone quarries in India and Sri Lanka Local limestone deposits near Kondapalli Specific regional sources Kankar (lime nodule) deposits Local limestone quarries and kilns Shell lime production in coastal regions Specific limestone deposits Specific regional lime kilns specific lime kilns Brick kilns near Nartiang Brick kilns for सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust) Lime kilns in various regions Specific lime kilns Lime kilns near limestone deposits Local sources Kankar lime deposits Local limestone deposits in Sikkim Local lime kilns near Raigarh Limestone deposits in Tibet and surrounding regions Surkhi from brick kilns Locally produced from limestone deposits Shell lime production along the coast Lime kilns near construction sites Local limestone quarries in Himachal Pradesh Limestone quarries in Rajasthan and Gujarat Local markets Specific regional limestone deposits Shell lime sources (coastal regions) Local limestone deposits near Udayagiri Kankar deposits in alluvial plains Specific lime kilns in Rajasthan Brick kilns (for Surkhi) Riverbeds (for sand) River sand deposits Limestone quarries in the Himalayan foothills Riverbeds for sand Local quarries for aggregates Lime kilns using limestone or kankar Surkhi production from brick kilns Lime quarries in Rajasthan Sand quarries Specific lime production sites Locally produced from limestone and sand Local sand deposits |
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| Properties | Compressive strength: 2-10 MPa Porosity: 20-30% Density: 1200-1500 kg/m³ Water permeability: High Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa Setting time: Varies with additives Compressive strength: 0.5-3 MPa Porosity: 20-40% Density: 1.2-1.6 g/cm³ Compressive strength: 1-5 MPa Density: 1400-1700 kg/m³ Water retention: High Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (depending on additives) Density: 1.4-1.7 g/cm³ High breathability Breathable Flexible Self-healing properties Low compressive strength (compared to cement) Good adhesion to stone and brick Air-setting Setting time: Variable Breathability: High Compressive strength: 1-7 MPa Setting time: weeks to months Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (variable) Porosity: High Density: 1.5-1.8 g/cm³ Breathability: Excellent Porosity: 25-40% Density: 1200-1600 kg/m³ Excellent breathability Autogenous healing Excellent workability Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (after full cure) Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (after full curing) Density: 1.2-1.5 g/cm³ Setting time: Days to weeks Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (after 28 days) Setting time: Varies with composition Water absorption: 15-25% Setting time: 7-28 days High alkalinity Setting time: Slow Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (after curing) Thermal expansion coefficient: 10-14 x 10^-6 /°C Setting time: Weeks to months Porosity: 20-50% Workability: High Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (fully carbonated) Workability: Excellent Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (non-hydraulic) Compressive strength: 1-5 MPa (after 28 days) Air permeability: High Compressive strength: 1-3 MPa Air lime Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (after full carbonation) Thermal expansion coefficient: Similar to stone High porosity Good breathability Hydraulic or non-hydraulic Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (plain lime) Air-setting hydraulic lime Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (without additives) Setting time: Varies with type Density: 1.2-1.7 g/cm³ Setting time: Variable, depending on additives Compressive Strength: 2-5 MPa (varies with additives) Porosity: High (allows breathability) Setting Time: Slow Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (variable based on additives) Compressive strength (28 days): 2-5 MPa Setting time: 7-14 days Air lime composition Breathability Flexibility Thermal expansion coefficient: Similar to stone and brick High flexibility Compressive strength: 5-10 MPa (hydraulic) Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (varies with additives) Good flexibility Hydraulic and non-hydraulic varieties Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (Non-Hydraulic) Porosity: 30-50% Compressive strength: 2-7 MPa Density: 1.6-1.8 g/cm³ Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (air-dried) Setting time: Varies Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (unreinforced) Setting time: Weeks Compressive strength: 5-15 MPa (hydraulic) Porosity: 30-40% Composition: Calcium hydroxide, silica, alumina Setting time: weeks Air lime or hydraulic lime Compressive strength: 1-5 MPa (air-setting), 2-10 MPa (hydraulic) Thermal expansion coefficient: 10-14 x 10⁻⁶ /°C Compressive strength: 2-10 MPa (depending on additives) Compressive strength: 1-10 MPa Slow setting time Good workability Water retention: >90% Setting time: Varies depending on lime type Composition: Ca(OH)2, SiO2 Setting time: 7-30 days Setting time: Variable, depending on composition Setting time: variable (days to weeks) Breathability: high Density: 1.5-1.7 g/cm³ Water absorption: High Compressive strength: 1-10 MPa (depending on additives) Excellent compatibility with stone and brick Composition: Calcium hydroxide, aggregates Water permeability: Low Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (air lime) Compressive strength: 0.5-2 MPa Carbonation rate: Slow Water retention: Good Water retention Compressive strength: 2-10 MPa (depending on composition) Thermal expansion: Similar to stone and brick Setting time: Several weeks Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (unmodified) Water permeability Adhesion strength: Variable Adhesion: Good to porous materials Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (without Surkhi) Density: 1.7-2.0 g/cm³ (cured) Setting time: Variable, days to weeks Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (depending on composition) Setting time: variable Compressive strength: 2-10 MPa (variable depending on composition) Composition: Calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate Air lime (non-hydraulic) Composition: Calcium hydroxide, water, aggregates Workability: Good Composition: Calcium hydroxide, Calcium carbonate Compressive strength: 0.5-5 MPa Density: 1200-1700 kg/m³ Density: 1200-1400 kg/m³ Composition: Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) Compressive strength: 1-5 MPa (depending on additives) Water absorption: 15-20% Density: 1.4-1.7 g/cm³ (cured) Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (cured) High alkalinity (pH 12-13) Composition: Calcium hydroxide, silica, water Setting time: Slow (weeks to months) Density: 1.7-2.0 g/cm³ Compressive strength: 1-5 MPa (depending on type) Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (without Surkhi), 5-10 MPa (with Surkhi) Thermal expansion coefficient: Similar to brick Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa (variable based on composition) Main component: Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) Calcium hydroxide content: >70% |
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| Uses | Masonry joints Plaster Stucco Waterproofing Plastering Rendering Consolidation Masonry mortar Waterproofing (with additives) Consolidation of stone Bonding agent Stucco work Pointing Foundation bedding Binding agent Decorative stucco Bonding agent for brickwork Masonry joints in brick and stone walls Plastering interior and exterior surfaces Waterproofing courses Binding agent for brick and stone Decorative moldings Bonding bricks and stones Decorative finishes Bonding masonry units Grouting Binding Agent Consolidation of stone structures Binding agent for bricks and stones Binding agent for stone and brick Masonry bonding Mortar for stone and brick masonry Binding agent for stone Masonry bonding agent Plastering walls Waterproofing roofs Stucco decoration Jointing |
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| Materials | सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust) रेत - Ret (Sand) पत्थर - Patthar (Stone) ईंट - Eent (Brick) Shilā (Stone) Ishtakā (Brick) रेती - Retī (Sand) गुड़ - Guda (Jaggery) वज्रलेप - Vajralepa (Diamond Plaster) कंकड़ - Kankar (Lime Nodules) गुड़ - Gur (Jaggery) उड़द दाल - Urad Dal (Black Lentil Paste) Kāshtha (Wood) Gomaya (Cow Dung) Jaggery बालू - Bālū (Sand) गुड़ - Guṛ (Jaggery) कत्था - Kathā (Catechu) बजरी - Bajri (River Sand) Īnt (Bricks) ईंट - Īnt (Brick) कंकड़ - Kankar (Kankar) बेल का शरबत - Bel ka Sharbat (Wood Apple Juice) शिला - Shilā (Stone) कंकड़ - Kankar (Gravel) Bajri (Aggregate) बेल - Bel (Wood Apple) जूट - Jute बजरी - Bajri (Aggregate) Hemp Ishtikā (Brick) रेती - Reti (Sand) बेल का शरबत - Bel ka Sharbat (Aegle marmelos juice) पानी - Pānī (Water) बेल फल - Bel Phal (Bel Fruit) Kāshtha (Wood) for scaffolding गोंद - Gond (Gum Arabic) कंकड़ - Kankad (Lime Nodules) कपूर - Karpūra (Camphor) कली चूना - Kalī Chunā (Quicklime) कंकड़ - Kankar (Aggregate) बजरी - Bajrī (River Sand) जल - Jala (Water) गुग्गुल - Guggula (Guggul Resin) कषाय - Kashāya (Herbal Concoctions) वज्रलेप - Vajralepa (Ancient Indian Glue) बेल का फल - Bel ka Phal (Aegle marmelos) कषाय - Kashāya (Herbal Extracts) कपूर - Karpura (Camphor) बजरी - Bajrī (Sand) रेत - Rēt (Sand) ईंट - Īṇṭa (Brick) बेल का फल - Bel ka Phal (Bel Fruit) इष्टिका - Ishtika (Brick) गुग्गुल - Guggul (Resin) कषाय - Kashaya (Herbal Extracts) Pakva Ishtika (Fired Brick) ईंट - Īnt (Bricks) कत्था - Kattha (Catechu) Bajri (Gravel) बजरी - Bajri (Gravel) कली चूना - Kali Chunā (Fat Lime) शंख चूना - Shankh Chunā (Shell Lime) बेल फल - Bel Phal (Wood Apple) बिल्व फल - Bilva Phal (Bael Fruit) Kāshtha (Wood) for scaffolding during application कषाय - Kashāya (Plant Extracts) इष्टिका - Ishtikā (Brick) रेत - Reta (Sand) ईंट - Īṇṭ (Brick) Kankar (Lime Nodules) जगर्री - Jagari (Jaggery) Kāshtha (Wood) for formwork गुड़ - Gudd (Jaggery) बेल - Bel (Bael Fruit) Kāshtha (Wood ash) Bajri (sand) बालू - Bālu (Sand) Bajri (Fine Aggregate) Stone Brick बेल का रस - Bel ka Ras (Aegle marmelos juice) Kāshtha (Wood) - scaffolding पक्व ईंट - Pakva Īnt (Fired Brick) Surkhi (Brick Dust) Ishtika (Fired Brick) गोमय - Gomaya (Cow Dung) Guggulu (Gum Resin) गुग्गुलु - Guggulu (Gum Resin) कडी - Kadī (Jaggery) वज्रलेप - Vajralepa (Diamond Glue) जगेरी - Jaggery कषाय - Kashaya (Tannin) कषाय - Kashāya (Herbal Additives) बजरी - Bajri (Sand) ईंट - Īṅṭ (Brick) इष्टिका - Ishtikā (Burnt Brick) Īnt (Brick) बेल का गूदा - Bela ka Guda (Wood Apple Pulp) मृत्तिका - Mrittikā (Earth) Kāshtha (Wood) (for scaffolding) Bajri (Fine Gravel) Ishtika (Brick) Sand Bricks चूना - Chunā (Lime) ईंट - Īṇṭ (Bricks) कली चूना - Kali Chunā (Quicklime) கற்கள் - Kaṟkaḷ (Granite) செங்கல் - Ceṅkal (Brick) சுண்ணாம்புக்கல் - Cuṇṇāmpukkal (Limestone) சுர்க்கி - Curkki (Surkhi) மணல் - Maṇal (Sand) |
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| Styles | Mughal architecture style Rajput architecture style Dravidian architecture style Sri Lankan architecture Mughal architecture Rajput architecture Traditional Indian architecture Indo-Islamic architecture All Indic architectural styles Dravidian architecture Vijayanagara architecture style Traditional Indian architecture style Indo-Islamic architecture style Vernacular architecture style Temple architecture Fort architecture Nagara architecture style All traditional Indian architectural styles Vesara architecture style Colonial architecture Assamese temple architecture All Indian architectural styles Islamic architecture style Pan-Indian architecture styles All styles Kumaoni architecture Vijayanagara architecture Deccan architecture Deccani architecture style Gupta architecture style Regional temple architecture Gujarati architecture style South Indian temple architecture Mughal Architecture Rajput Architecture Vernacular Architecture Sikh architecture Deccan architecture style Vernacular architecture Various Indian architectural styles Nagara architecture Traditional Indian Architecture Tibetan Buddhist architecture Various Indian temple architectures Colonial architecture style Traditional Indian architecture styles Kandyan architecture Kakatiya architecture style Gandhara architecture Kerala architecture Khasi Architecture Indo-Islamic Architecture All styles of Indian architecture Ahom architecture style Tibetan Architecture Maratha architecture Bhutanese Architecture Haveli architecture Sikh architecture style Especially prevalent in pre-cement construction Kalinga architecture Ahom architecture Indo-Portuguese architecture Kushan architecture Traditional Architecture Hemadpanti architecture Dravidian Architecture Nagara Architecture Indo-Saracenic architecture Maratha architecture style |
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| Categories | Temple Fort Palace Tomb Pilgrimage Site Stepwell Temples Forts Palaces Wells All heritage categories Residential Buildings Residential Stepwells House Residential buildings Water Tank Walls Plaster Well Residences Water structures Water Structures Domestic Architecture Mosque Haveli Public Buildings Residential architecture Havelis Monastery Wall Residential structures Water harvesting structures Fortress Domestic architecture Residential Architecture Stupa Civil Architecture Kund Tombs Masonry Residential Building |
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| Notes |
|
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| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Indian Lime Mortars | Technical Report | Lime mortar composition and application |
| Traditional Building Materials of India | Book | Lime mortar composition and application |
| Lime and Lime Mortars | Technical Report | Composition and application |
| ASI Technical Bulletin | Technical Report | Lime mortar analysis and conservation |
| Traditional Lime Mortars in India | Technical Report | Composition and application techniques |
| Lime Mortars for Historic Buildings | Technical Report | Composition, properties, and application |
| Traditional Mortars of India | Technical Report | Composition and application |
| Lime and Limestone | Book | Lime mortar properties and applications |
| Traditional Mortars: Characteristics and Conservation | Book | Lime mortar analysis and conservation |
| Traditional Indian Building Techniques | Book | Lime mortar recipes and applications |
| Traditional Lime Mortars | Book | Lime mortar preparation and application |
| Lime and Limestone: Chemistry and Technology, 2nd Edition | Book | Technical properties and applications |
| Traditional Knowledge Digital Library | Database | Lime preparation techniques |
| Lime Technology in Indian Heritage Structures | Technical Report | Composition, properties, and application techniques |
| Lime Mortars: Properties and Uses | Technical Report | Detailed analysis of lime mortar types |
| Lime Technology and Conservation | Technical Manual | Traditional techniques |
| Lime and Lime Mortars in Indian Heritage Structures | Technical Report | Composition, properties, and conservation |
| Traditional Indian Mortars | Technical Report | Composition and properties |
| Lime in Building | Report | Lime properties and uses |
| Traditional Building Materials and Techniques | Book | Lime mortar preparation and application |
| Traditional Indian Building Materials and Techniques | Book | Lime mortar preparation and application |
| Lime Mortars in Historic Buildings | Book | Lime mortar properties and conservation |
| Lime and Limestone: Chemistry and Technology, by J.A.H. Oates | Book | Comprehensive guide on lime properties and uses |
| Traditional Indian Lime Mortars | Research Paper | Composition and properties |
| Traditional Mortars in India | Research Paper | Composition and properties |
| Lime and Lime Mortars | Book | Technical guide on lime mortar preparation and application |
| Traditional Mortars of India | Research Paper | Composition and properties |
| Lime and Limestone: Chemistry and Technology, 2nd Edition | Book | Composition and properties of lime mortar |
| Traditional Indian Building Technology | Book | Lime mortar preparation and application |
| ASI Technical Bulletin | Technical Report | Material analysis |
| Traditional Building Materials of India | Book | Lime mortar recipes |
| Traditional Indian Lime Mortars | Research Paper | Composition and properties |
| Lime Technology and Conservation | Book | Lime mortar properties and applications |
| Lime Mortars: A Practical Guide | Technical Manual | Composition and application |
| Lime and Limestone: Chemistry and Technology, Applications in Construction | Book | Lime mortar properties and applications |
| Lime and Lime Mortars | Technical Manual | Lime mortar preparation and application |
| Lime Mortars: Properties and Uses | Technical Report | Detailed analysis of lime mortar composition and application |
| ASI Technical Bulletin | Technical Report | Material analysis |
| Site Name | Status | Usage | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dindigul Fort Dindigul | Secondary | 100% | |
| Naguleswaram Temple Keerimalai Jaffna Sri Lanka | Secondary | 100% | |
| Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple Nainativu Jaffna Sri Lanka | Secondary | 100% | |
| Thanjavur Palace Thanjavur | Secondary | 100% | |
| Thiruketheeswaram Temple Mannar Sri Lanka | Secondary | 100% | |
| Tiruchirapalli Fort Tiruchirapalli | Secondary | 100% |