Louvie-Soubiron Marble: Heritage Stone in the French Pyrenean Ossau Valley—First Evidence of the Roman Trans-Pyrenean Use

Abstract

The historical character of the Louvie-Soubiron marble quarry, in the French Pyrenean Ossau Valley, has been brought to light through a combined analytical study of quarry samples and Roman archaeological artefacts of known chronology. The identification parameters, or fingerprints, established following a multi-method analytical approach applied to Louvie-Soubiron marble have served to authenticate several architectural and decorative elements carved in this marble. Different varieties of white (Lithotype-1) and grey and white veined marble (Lithotype-2), similar to the 1st quality of Carrara marble, have been distinguished in both, quarry and archaeological samples. The ornamental artefacts belonging to different Roman sites from both sides of the Pyrenees provide information on the timing of Louvie-Soubiron quarry management in the western part of the Roman Empire, and evidence the trans-Pyrenean use from at least the second half of the first century AD. Additionally, this study offers complementary perspectives to gain a better understanding of the historical use of this quarry which will certainly contribute to promoting practical initiatives and regional community actions.