Smartphone application for ancient mortars identification developed by a multi-analytical approach

•Ancient mortars were characterised from mineralogical and chemical point of views.•Undated samples were classified and peculiar mortars presence was evidenced.•Colour was analysed by Vis-spectrophotometer and imaging of smartphone photos.•Imaging of powdered samples is a reliable technique for colour characterisation.•Smartphone shows potential as archaeometric tool for construction phases study.