The importance of “Pavonazzetto marble” (Docimium-Phrygia/Iscehisar-Turkey) since ancient times and its properties as a global heritage stone resource

Abstract

In ancient times, many monuments and buildings were built using marble. Especially, the use of marble increased in the Roman Empire period. Important public buildings required the best marble, and generally, high-quality stones were used in imperial building projects. For this purpose, many marble quarries were opened in the empire land, and the old ones were used once again. One of the most important marble quarries was located in the central Phrygia, Asia Minor. Pavonazzetto marble known as Docimaean marble, marmor Phrygium, or Synnadic marble in ancient times was extracted in Iscehisar, ancient Docimium (near modern Afyon in west-central Turkey). Pavonazzetto marble was transported via Synnada, Apameia, and Laodiceia, down the Maeander to Tralles and then to the Port of Ephesos. Pavonazzetto marbles were exported from the Port of Ephesus, to all Mediterranean, the North African coast, South Spain, and South England. The most important evidence proving the exportation of marble from Asia Minor to the entire Mediterranean Region is the shipwrecks with stone cargoes detected on various coasts. Pavonazzetto marble, which is found to be used in ancient cities in various Mediterranean countries, has been used in many buildings and monumental structures such as Pantheon, Forum of Trajan, Forum of Augustus, Temple of Apollo, Temple of Mars Ultor, Basilica Julia, Basilica Aemelia, Basilica San Paolo Fuori Le Mura, Basilica Ulpia, Arch of Constantine, and Baths of Caracalla. The aim of present paper was to introduce Pavonazzetto marble used abundantly in major monuments and buildings in ancient times and having international significance. For this purpose, laboratory studies were carried out for material characterisation of Pavonazzetto marble. Main technical values and parameters were studied by chemical, mineralogical-petrographic (polarising microscope, XRD, and SEM), physical, and mechanical tests/analyses. It was determined that the violet color of this marble type is due to the presence of iron oxide and phlogopite minerals. The results of physical mechanical tests indicated soundness of Pavonazzetto marble.