Revitalisation of the local craft tradition of gypsum mortar production
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Koya, Kurdistan-Iraq
WADI e.V.
2025
Cultural Heritage, traditional craftmanship
Gerda Henkel Stiftung, General Directorate of Antiquities Erbil, M. Krempler, Geology, Koya University, Dohuk University
Before the general availability of cement, gypsum was used for centuries as masonry mortar in regions where gypsum stone could be exploited.
The aim of the project is not only to document the traditional processing of gypsum in Koya region, but also to revitalise the craft of gypsum burning in order to produce high-quality mortar locally and make it available for restoration projects.
The endangered knowledge about the production of high-quality gypsum mortar was shared with regional and international experts and passed on to local craftsmen.
The gypsum mortar from the revitalised production meanwhile was used in several restoration projects in Kurdistan and Iraq.
