Dear Dr. Volpi,

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Santanu Banerjee

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Additional Editor Comments:

The paper requires minor revision for acceptance, as indicated below.

Reviewer #1: This is a well executed material study of Tell Zurghul/Nigin. The work is adequately rationalised and well written. The weakness of the submitted text is in the conservation context which is only superficially mentioned and neve developed in the text. I would suggest reframing the article as a technical study of the site material which is what they have produced. If there is interest in developing the conservation aspects, I have made suggestions throughout the text. Overall though, thank you for diligently sharing your work.

Summary of Review for Manuscript PONE-D-25-51681R1

Reviewer #2:

This study examines the chemical, mineralogical, hydric and mechanical properties of archaeological earthen mudbricks and earthen plasters from the site of Tell Zurghul/Nigin in southern Iraq, in order to explore construction technique and to identify optimal conservation methods.

The archaeological and geological context is concise but precise. The experimental approach and setup, which includes Polarized Optical Microscopy, X-ray Fluorescence, Powder X-ray Diffraction, colorimetry, together with mechanical and hydric testing is described with precision and the experimental results are convincing, as well as their interpretation.

The most notable results, both in terms of originality and in terms of understanding of these kind of materials, are related to the correlation between the various raw materials used for the mudbricks fabrication and the conservation strategies to be used for earthen structures of provenance. Moreover, the study of the correlation between arcaheological, geological and climatic context are of great importance in the study of the material human evolution in prehistorical ages.

The conclusions are consistent with the evidence and arguments presented

and address the main question posed by the authors, the references are appropriate and both tables and figures are of great utility for a full comprehension of the article.

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously? -->?>

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available??>

The PLOS Data policy

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English??>

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: This is a well executed material study of Tell Zurghul/Nigin. The work is adequately rationalised and well written. The weakness of the submitted text is in the conservation context which is only superficially mentioned and neve developed in the text. I would suggest reframing the article as a technical study of the site material which is what they have produced. If there is interest in developing the conservation aspects, I have made suggestions throughout the text. Overall though, thank you for diligently sharing your work.

Reviewer #2:  This study examines the chemical, mineralogical, hydric and mechanical properties of archaeological earthen mudbricks and earthen plasters from the site of Tell Zurghul/Nigin in southern Iraq, in order to explore construction technique and to identify optimal conservation methods.

The archaeological and geological context is concise but precise. The experimental approach and setup, which includes Polarized Optical Microscopy, X-ray Fluorescence, Powder X-ray Diffraction, colorimetry, together with mechanical and hydric testing is described with precision and the experimental results are convincing, as well as their interpretation.

The most notable results, both in terms of originality and in terms of understanding of these kind of materials, are related to the correlation between the various raw materials used for the mudbricks fabrication and the conservation strategies to be used for earthen structures of provenance. Moreover, the study of the correlation between arcaheological, geological and climatic context are of great importance in the study of the material human evolution in prehistorical ages.

The conclusions are consistent with the evidence and arguments presented

and address the main question posed by the authors, the references are appropriate and both tables and figures are of great utility for a full comprehension of the article.

**********

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Reviewer #1: Yes: Ashley M. Lingle

Reviewer #2: Yes: Franco Zanini

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: PONE-D-25-34039_reviewer.pdf

Chemical-mineralogical features and physical properties of archaeological adobe. The evidence from Tell Zurghul/Nigin (Dhi Qar, Iraq)

PONE-D-25-34039R1

Dear Dr. Volpi,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Santanu Banerjee

Academic Editor

PLOS One

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Revisions appear fine. The may paper may be accpted.

Reviewers' comments: