Decay study of monument sand stones

Selected ancient sandstone monuments (5-6th centuries) from Aihole, Pattadakal from Bagalkot district, local quarries stone and sandstone sample of Akkaragall quarries of India were characterized for their mineralogical and physical properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) coupled with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are used to discuss the ancient ceramic technology and composition. From XRD analysis we observed that Durga temple and Iranna padi quarry sand stone sample contains Quartz & chromium whereas Akkaragall quarry sand stone sample contains Quartz and silica. Particular attention were given to the analysis of composition of monuments stone with quarries stone and its decay.