Ancient white marble trade and its provenance determination. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al-Bashaireh, Khaled
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 35(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: White Marble -- Exploitation History -- Provenance -- Quarry -- Trade -- Ancient Sources -- Jordan; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2020.102777
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Highlights: A comprehensive review of white marble provenance research. White old marble quarries, and recent discoveries. Recent scientific methods and archaeological research. Successful of Proconnesus marble during the Byzantine Period – Jordan a case study. Abstract: This paper sheds light on the history of the exploitation and use of the most important ancient white marble sources located around the Mediterranean Sea and on its islands. It focuses on the spread and trade networks of the white marble quarried from these sources starting from the Neolithic till the Byzantine periods. The paper shows the contribution of white marble trade on the economic and cultural development of the quarrying centers. It highlights the reasons behind the import of white marble from certain quarries during different periods. In addition, the paper reviews the recent reference databases for white marbles used in antiquity, and then the development of archaeometric methods applied in the characterization of ancient white marble and its provenance determination.