Medieval History
No eggs were used during the construction of the 14th century Charles Bridge, the oldest stone bridge in Prague, researchers from Prague's Institute of Chemical Technology (VSCHT) have confirmed, its spokeswoman Ivana Pickova said yesterday.
The research team thereby refuted its previous research that, on the contrary, proved the presence of proteins from egg whites in the bridge.
"No eggs were used in the mortar for Charles Bridge," Pickova said.
However, scientists from the VSCHT, claimed in the autumn 2008 that they had succeeded in scientifically confirming the legend saying the medieval masons added eggs to the mortar during the bridge's construction.
Other scientists opposed this idea last year. Richard Prikryl, from Charles University's Faculty of Natural Sciences, said last May that experts had analysed the mortar from Charles Bridge by infrared spectroscopy that had not proved any traces of organic additives.
They were not added to the mortar for technological reasons, Prikryl stressed then.
Biochemist Stepanka Kuckova, from the VSCHT, who participated in the original research, challenged Prikryl's method as not sufficiently precise.
The scientists also reiterated that the masons of Charles Bridge had used "Roman mortar." It abounds in the qualities of modern construction materials, that are used for building bridges currently, in terms of strength, hardness and resistance to water.
The research team has also found out that the original inner structure of Charles Bridge is in a very good shape in spite of being 650 years old, Prikryl said.
A thorough reconstruction of the Charles Gothic bridge decorated with some 30 statues of saints mainly in Baroque style, is underway. It was launched in August, 2007.
Some experts, including the Culture Ministry's inspection, have criticised the repair works as unprofessional harming the unique sight. Heritage protectors and the City Hall that are responsible for the repairs have dismissed the criticism.
Luckily, one of the major tourist attractions in the Czech capital has never been completely closed during the reconstruction.
- Mona Lisa Backdrop Depicts Italian Town Of Bobbio, Claims Art Historian
A small town in northern Italy is basking in new-found celebrity after an Italian art historian claimed it featured in the background of the world's most famous painting ? Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. A bridge and a road glimpsed over the shoulder...
- Medieval Bridges Preserved With Sugar
Medieval bridge timbers found in Leicestershire are being preserved, thanks to sugar. British Sugar has supplied more than 40 tonnes of liquid sugar to Leicestershire County Council, free of charge, to preserve an 11th century bridge discovered in Hemington....
- Medieval News Of The Week
Czech expert: Only 30% of collapsed Cologne archives to be saved Turning an ancient page in history Minister Unveils Plans To Preserve And Manage Walled Town A major project, to identify castles and tower-houses which could be suitable for future restoration...
- Byzantium Booty In Sakarya
In recent weeks pre-excavations have begun in Turkey's Kaynarca District, near the village of Uzunalan where a 2000 year old Roman statue was discovered. This lovely find of a sculpted torso ? with no head or legs and missing one arm ? was most...
- The Medieval Parish Church Of Pest (part I.)
The Inner City parish church is perhaps the most frequently-seen, yet most overlooked major medieval building in Budapest. Standing in the middle of the city, right next to Elizabeth bridge, modern-day citizens of Budapest zoom by it every day. The church,...
Medieval History
Eggs not used to build medieval bridge in Prague, researchers find
The research team thereby refuted its previous research that, on the contrary, proved the presence of proteins from egg whites in the bridge.
"No eggs were used in the mortar for Charles Bridge," Pickova said.
However, scientists from the VSCHT, claimed in the autumn 2008 that they had succeeded in scientifically confirming the legend saying the medieval masons added eggs to the mortar during the bridge's construction.
Other scientists opposed this idea last year. Richard Prikryl, from Charles University's Faculty of Natural Sciences, said last May that experts had analysed the mortar from Charles Bridge by infrared spectroscopy that had not proved any traces of organic additives.
They were not added to the mortar for technological reasons, Prikryl stressed then.
Biochemist Stepanka Kuckova, from the VSCHT, who participated in the original research, challenged Prikryl's method as not sufficiently precise.
The scientists also reiterated that the masons of Charles Bridge had used "Roman mortar." It abounds in the qualities of modern construction materials, that are used for building bridges currently, in terms of strength, hardness and resistance to water.
The research team has also found out that the original inner structure of Charles Bridge is in a very good shape in spite of being 650 years old, Prikryl said.
A thorough reconstruction of the Charles Gothic bridge decorated with some 30 statues of saints mainly in Baroque style, is underway. It was launched in August, 2007.
Some experts, including the Culture Ministry's inspection, have criticised the repair works as unprofessional harming the unique sight. Heritage protectors and the City Hall that are responsible for the repairs have dismissed the criticism.
Luckily, one of the major tourist attractions in the Czech capital has never been completely closed during the reconstruction.
- Mona Lisa Backdrop Depicts Italian Town Of Bobbio, Claims Art Historian
A small town in northern Italy is basking in new-found celebrity after an Italian art historian claimed it featured in the background of the world's most famous painting ? Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. A bridge and a road glimpsed over the shoulder...
- Medieval Bridges Preserved With Sugar
Medieval bridge timbers found in Leicestershire are being preserved, thanks to sugar. British Sugar has supplied more than 40 tonnes of liquid sugar to Leicestershire County Council, free of charge, to preserve an 11th century bridge discovered in Hemington....
- Medieval News Of The Week
Czech expert: Only 30% of collapsed Cologne archives to be saved Turning an ancient page in history Minister Unveils Plans To Preserve And Manage Walled Town A major project, to identify castles and tower-houses which could be suitable for future restoration...
- Byzantium Booty In Sakarya
In recent weeks pre-excavations have begun in Turkey's Kaynarca District, near the village of Uzunalan where a 2000 year old Roman statue was discovered. This lovely find of a sculpted torso ? with no head or legs and missing one arm ? was most...
- The Medieval Parish Church Of Pest (part I.)
The Inner City parish church is perhaps the most frequently-seen, yet most overlooked major medieval building in Budapest. Standing in the middle of the city, right next to Elizabeth bridge, modern-day citizens of Budapest zoom by it every day. The church,...