Clay-like 'mortar'

[OldBlue]

Hello,

I wonder if anyone would be able to help me identify what material was used to bond the stones in the photo I've linked to? We originally thought it was a weak sandy mortar, but we now wonder if it is a sort of clay mixture. I can pick it out and crush it between my fingers. I'm refering to the material at the top of the photo rather than the more 'recent' pointing lower down.

This is from a place in Mayenne 53, and the walls are a few centuries old probably.

Let me know if the link doesn't work...

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af169/OBV_photos/France/P1030223.jpg

[IMG]http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af169/OBV_photos/France/P1030223.jpg[/IMG]

[cooperlola]

I think it's probably just chaux (lime mortar.)  Not that I'm an expert, it's just that it's the usual thing hereabouts.

[Rob Roy]

It certainly looks like the old chaux we've replaced in many of our walls; very easy to clean/pick out, then replace with a new lime mortar mix which is more tedious but very satisfying when done.