Gandhara sculptural schist: Proposed source

Abstract

Previously suggested source localities for the chloritoid-paragonite-muscovite quartz schist, the most widely used Gandharan rock, have been examined and rejected. However, an ancient disused quarry near Sakhakot, south of Dargai, in northern Pakistan, has been located and sampled. Chemical and mineralogical comparisons between two quarry samples and a specimen of artifact schist are very close, leading to the proposal that the quarry is one definite source of Gandhara sculptural schist.