Marble Artifacts Research Articles

A Multi‐Disciplinary Contribution to the Provenance Determination of Ancient Greek and Roman Marble Artifacts

AbstractThe problem of determining the provenance of the white marble used for antique artifacts has been tackled in different ways. During the past decade it became clear that a multimethod approach is required to solve the problem. In addition, reliable reference material, i.e., samples collected at the ancient quarry sites in an archaeologically and geologically justified manner, turned out to be a prerequisite for reliable provenance determination. A multimethod approach based on petrography, stable isotope analysis of O and C, and trace element analysis yields complementary information. These methods were applied to the same set of 225 quarry samples. When processed with powerful statistical methods, the data thus obtained allowed all major types of marble used in antiquity to be distinguished. Thus, most problems concerning the provenance of artifacts can be solved. This approach was successfully applied to the provenance determination of about 75 artifacts from different museums in Europe and the USA.

Ulysses without sails: Trade, distance, knowledge and power in the early Cyclades

Abstract Pre‐modern trade must be situated within the context of the wider social significance of the exotic. Unequal knowledge creates uneven values for non‐local goods, and superior knowledge forms an avenue to power. This study explores maritime trade in the Cycladic islands (c. 2700–2300 cal. BC) in this light. It expands on earlier identification of specialized trading communities, using graph analysis to show that their position (spatial and political) was based on control of local seaborne movement and greater experience of the wider maritime world. Possible ritual destruction of prestige marble artefacts at one such site on Keros is seen as a means of manipulating regimes of value. Finally, it is suggested that long‐distance voyages beyond the Cyclades were as much exercises in the gathering of esoteric knowledge to enhance social prestige within the islands as they were expeditions concerned with trade in material goods.

Electron-paramagnetic-resonance signals and effects in marble induced by working

The effect of most usual kinds of mechanical treatment on marble, such as drilling, grinding, and polishing, has been systematically investigated with electron-paramagnetic-resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Two different major effects have been observed: the decrease of Mn2+ and the creation of several kinds of lattice defects. Drilling can cause a drop in the intensity of Mn2+ by 50% and at the same time create a high concentration of lattice defects. The most characteristic is a defect, with a pair of peaks at g=2.0003 and 1.9997, created and filled with electrons simultaneously. The causes, nature, stability, and sensitivity to γ irradiation of the two effects have been investigated. For the filling of the above defects with the mechanical action a model has been proposed. This involves another, EPR-silent, defect that stores electrons by ionizing radiation during the geological age of marble and transfers a number of them by the mechanical treatment to the newly created defects. Another pair of defects (g=2.0069 and g=2.0059) has also been observed to be mechanically induced but not filled by the mechanical action. These are filled only by ionizing radiation. The reduction in the Mn2+ signal is caused by the pressure exerted on the grains during the mechanical treatment, destroying the crystal symmetry and probably causing jumping out of Mn2+ ions from their normal crystal symmetry sites. The decrease of the Mn2+ sextet with drilling causes great concern to provenance studies of ancient marble artifacts that are based on the intensity of the Mn2+ peaks. Finally, the polished surfaces of a number of ancient artifacts have been investigated for possible detection of absorbed radiation.

Cathodoluminescence Signature of White Marble Artefacts

AbstractThe cathodoluminescence characteristics of more than 500 white marble samples from known classical quarrying sites and surrounding areas in Greece, Turkey and Italy were analysed to develop a rapid and low-cost method for the characterization of white marbles. In most cases, the observed cathodoluminescence colors, intensity and intensity distribution form a distinct “cathodomicrofacies” which is commonly unique for a given area, quarry or parts of a quarry.In cases where the cathodomicrofacies is common to more than one quarrying area, the stable isotope signature of the white marbles provides an effective complement to cathodoluminescence, and allows additional distinctions between marbles to be made.The study of field samples from ancient quarrying areas can identify the source of white marble used for ancient sculptures and buildings. This new approach has been successfully tested on ancient marble sculptures and sarcophaguses from the collection of the Art and History Museum in Geneva.

Mikre Vigla: a Bronze Age Settlement on Naxos

The results of a surface survey of the site are described. Mikre Vigla was a small coastal settlement, occupied from EC I or II until some time in LC III (perhaps the equivalent of mid-LHIIIC). There is a minimal amount of later material, of Geometric to Frankish date. The closest external relations in the Bronze Age, as indicated by the pottery, seem to have been with Melos, and Protopalatial Crete. Apart from building remains, pottery and some domestic and other objects (two fragments of marble artefacts, obsidian, painted plaster), the finds include an important series of small terracotta figurines, unique in the Cyclades. Some of these seem to be Early Cycladic, others related to Cretan pieces, mainly of the Protopalatial period.

CARBON AND OXYGEN ISOTOPIC RATIOS: A DATA BASE FOR CLASSICAL GREEK AND ROMAN MARBLE

An isotopic data base of δ13C and δ18O analyses of 528 samples collected from 39 classical Greek and Roman quarries of Turkey, Greece, Italy and Tunisia has been accumulated. The discriminative possibilities of the data base vary from quarry to quarry. Most quarries have a distinctive pattern for either or both variables, but some have more than one grouping. The data also overlap for many quarries preventing a unique provenance assignment. If the alternatives are known so that the total pool of possible sources is reduced, the data base can then discriminate and assign a provenance for most classical marble artifacts.