WHITE, VEINED MARBLE FROM ROMAN AMMAIA (PORTUGAL): PROVENANCE AND USE. (21st May 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: TAELMAN, D.; ELBURG, M.; SMET, I.; DE PAEPE, P.; VANHAECKE, F.; VERMEULEN, F.
• Is Part Of: Archaeometry. Volume 55:Number 3(2013)
• Page Start: 370
• Page End: 390
• Publication Date: 2012-05-21
• Subjects: Archaeometry -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Expertising -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-4754.2012.00691.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-813X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>A multimethod approach using petrography and strontium (Sr) isotopic analysis was applied to determine the geological source of 17 marble artefacts from the Roman town of <italic>Ammaia</italic> (Portugal). All samples are calcitic, with dolomite, quartz and muscovite as accessory minerals. The marbles are characteristically medium‐grained with a maximum grain size (MGS) between 0.98 mm and 1.82 mm, have a heteroblastic texture, and have curved to embayed calcite grain boundaries. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values of marble leachates range from 0.708488 to 0.708639. Comparison with Hispanic and Mediterranean marbles suggests the Estremoz Anticline as the most likely source for the <italic>Ammaia</italic> marble, especially for architectural marble. This hypothesis is supported by the geographical proximity of the Estremoz marble district and the long and expensive overland transport required for other marbles to reach <italic>Ammaia</italic>.</p> </abstract>