Stone Industry Research Articles

Karasor-2 Site in the Upper Tobol

The present article introduces a collection of prehistoric material culture finds obtained at the Karasor-2 site during a stationary study of the Karasor archaeological site in 1998. A group of Karasor monuments is located near the town of Lisakovsk in the Upper Tobol river valley, which is in the northern Turgai depression. The territory of the Turgai depression connects the West Siberian and Turan plains. The Turgai depression borders on the Trans-Ural Plateau in the west and on the Kazakh hillocky area and the spur of the Ulutau mountains in the east. The local nature and geography destroy the cultural layer on the monuments. Thus, the finds represented by fragments of ceramics and stone products at the Karasor-2 site were collected from the surface, as the cultural layer had been destroyed. The article gives descriptive characteristics of the ceramics, while the stone tools were studied with the technical and typological method. Since the ceramic fragments are too small, the dating and cultural affiliation of the artifacts was based on the results of the technical and typological analysis of the stone tools. Most likely, the stone finds date back to the Mesolithic and Late Eneolithic periods. Most tools are similar to the stone industry of the Tersek culture and belong to the Eneolithic Age. The author believes that the time range of the stone tools and ceramics is from the Late Mesolithic to the Bronze Age.

Before the Neolithic in the Aegean: The Pleistocene and the Early Holocene record of Bozburun - Southwest Turkey

The renewed Mesolithic research in the Greek mainland and the islands has been providing new insights into the lively maritime activity within the region; however, the southwest coast of Turkey has been virtually devoid of related investigations until the commencement of the Bozburun Prehistoric Survey project in 2017. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the prehistoric sites discovered at the Bozburun Peninsula during the 2017–2019 field seasons. Preliminary results indicate that the area is rich in prehistoric activity. While Middle Paleolithic chipped stone industries were identified at the sites of Kayabaşı Cave, Çakmak, and Sobalak, flake based microlithic chipped stone industries typical of the Aegean Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene were identified at the sites of Sarnıç, Hurma, Sobalak, Zeytinlik, and Çakmak. A variety of artifacts, suggestive of the Neolithic, were also recorded at the sites of Hurma, Zeytinlik, and possibly at Sobalak and Sarnıç. In specific, the presence of carinated end-scrapers, burins and polyhedric cores at Sarnıç, as well as some geometric microliths at Hurma, demonstrates that Bozburun was frequented during the Upper Paleolithic and the Epipaleolithic. The presence of a few geometric microliths made on Melos obsidian at Hurma also demonstrates that the region was connected to the Aegean obsidian network routes at least by the beginning of the Holocene. If our relative dating is correct, this constitutes the earliest known use of Melos obsidian in the Anatolian mainland.

Behaviour of fresh and hardened concrete incorporating marble and granite sludge as cement replacement

The present article aims to study the effect of using marble and granite sludge, resulting from ornamental stone industry, as cement replacement on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete mixes. The chemical analysis, mineralogical composition, and physical properties of marble and granite sludge as well as OPC were measured using XRF, XRD, BET, and BT techniques. The experimental work has been conducted through two steps, the first step included preparation of nine mixes of blended cement pastes, and the second step included preparation of nine concrete mixes. The two steps were prepared using different proportions of marble and granite sludge substituting for cement binder by 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% in addition to the control mixture with 0% sludge. The initial and final setting times of the blended cement pastes were determined using Vicat test. The workability of the fresh concrete mixes was determined using slump test. The physico-mechanical properties of all hardened concrete mixes such as water absorption, porosity, density, compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths were measured at different curing ages starting with 7 days passing through 28 days and ending with 56 days. Regarding the durability performance of the hardened concrete mixes, various tests such as water penetration depth and chloride ion penetration were measured at 28 days of curing, and the acid attack test was determined at 7, 28, and 90 days of exposure after normal curing at 28 days.The results clearly revealed that there is an improvement towards the water penetration depth and sulphuric acid attack resistance at all replacement levels more than the control mixture. Regarding the other properties such as water absorption, density, strengths, and chloride penetration, there is insignificance decline up to 20% marble and granite sludge compared with the control mixes. It is recommended to utilize both marble and granite separately up to 20% as cement replacement in concrete making without adversely impact on its the mechanical or durability performance. The results of all hardened concrete mixes are in compatible with the requirements of concrete bricks and concrete paving units in terms of water absorption and compressive strength.

Influence of brick dust, stone dust, and recycled fine aggregate on properties of natural and recycled aggregate concrete

AbstractThe brick, stone, and construction industries produces huge quantities of non‐biodegradable waste materials and incorporation of such waste materials in concrete eventually leads to the green and sustainable construction. The present paper study the effect of partial substitution of brick dust (BD), stone dust (SD), and recycled fine aggregate (RFA) as fine aggregate on the properties of natural aggregate concrete (NAC) and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). In the present investigation, two groups of mixes were considered: Group A consists of 100% natural coarse aggregate (NCA) and group B consists of 50% NCA and 50% recycled coarse aggregate. In each group, the natural fine aggregate was partially replaced with 30% BD, 30% SD, and 30% RFA separately. All mixes were designed for M25 grade concrete with a constant w/c ratio of 0.45. The properties viz. compressive strength, density, indirect tensile strength, water absorption, ultrasonic pulse velocity of all mixes was performed. Also, durability performance of all the mixes under acid conditions viz.: HCl and H2SO4 solutions were studied. From the results it was found that the compressive strength and split tensile strengths (27.95–23.23%) of both natural and recycled aggregate concrete were significantly increased with the partial substitution of SD. Also, the results reveal that the water absorption decreased by 57.14–69.64% and 4.67–34.67%, respectively, when the replacement of NFA with BD and SD in both NAC and RAC. Both natural and recycled aggregate concrete were more susceptible for H2SO4 than HCl acid in terms of loss of weight and compressive strength.

Epigravettian in Eastern Bohemia

Until recently the Epigravettian occupation of Bohemia has remained relatively unknown. After re-evaluating an old assemblage from Ostroměř (first published by S. Vencl like the Ostroměř group of Late Palaeolithic) we can assign it to the Epigravettian cultural complex. A newly excavated site in Slatinky near Jičín probably dates to the Late Epigravettian, but only the specialised part of the site related to the production of microblades was excavated. Eastern Bohemian sites fit into the general form and framework of the Epigravettian stone industries with a dominance of short scrapers (often on flake) and a lower incidence of burins. Geographically, sites can be placed mainly in lower altitudes (256–400 m asl), while their number decreases with increasing altitude. There is no link to large watercourses, and on the contrary, the main ones seem to be rather smaller watercourses (sites are located 100–300 m from them) while at the same time it is clear that there was an effort made to search for places protected against adverse climatic phenomena. At the moment we can first provide a deeper insight into the Epigravettian site structure in Eastern Bohemia.

Utilisation of waste marble powder as low-cost cementing materials in the production of mortar

Marble industries produce vast amounts of wastes, and this is detrimental to the environment. Accordingly, these waste materials require appropriate management to ensure a cleaner environment. Given that, the utilisation of recycled materials in construction is desirable, owing to the space saved from landfill purposes and reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) as well as the lower cost related to the waste materials. Subsequently, this paper investigated the effects of adding waste marble powder (WMP) as filler on the strength performance of mortar, with different Blaine Specific Surface (BSS) on the precise class of resistance of the Artificial Cement Portland CEM I 42.5. The experimental investigation and statistical analysis were carried out on mortar mixes containing four different types of marble powder as the filler (F1, F2, F3, F4) with BSS values of 3860, 5640, 7620 and 9280 cm2/g, respectively. Substitution rates of 5, 15, and 25% were applied. In addition, the water/cement + filler ratios (W/(C + F)) or W/Ceq and the true class of resistance of the new cement were measured for each mix. Moreover, the theoretical models (termed as equivalence models), which enabled the determination of the precise class of resistance of the cement and W/Ceq ratios as a function of the BSS of the used marble fillers and substitution rate, were developed. The obtained results revealed that 5% substitution of cement by the marble powder provided compressive strength values similar to that of the control mix for all types of filler. However, with further increase in the substitution rate, the compressive strength reduced. Subsequently, both the experimental and theoretical results presented a good agreement. It was concluded that the proper use of waste marble powder as a partial replacement of cement would have environmental benefits, and simultaneously, increase the feasibility of marble stone industries.

Supply Chain Network Design and Tactical Planning in the Dimension Stone Industry

Supply Chain Network Design and Tactical Planning in the Dimension Stone Industry

The Evaluation of Relationship Between Dimensions of Organizational Structure and Safety and Health Situation in Stone Industries

The Evaluation of Relationship Between Dimensions of Organizational Structure and Safety and Health Situation in Stone Industries

Investigation of the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Sites in the Don Basin on the Territory of Volgograd Region

The locations of the Stone Age on the Volgograd region territory have been known since the beginning of the XIX century. However, purposeful Stone Age sites explorations had only started after the Sukhaya Mechetka site was discovered by A.P. Koptev and M.N. Grischenko in 1951. The data accumulated on series of stratified sites in Volgograd Region makes it possible to outline two significant groups of them. One of the groups belongs to the Lower Volga basin. The other group is associated with the ramified network of gullies and ravines and multiple tributaries of the Don. The Don is the fourth longest river on the Russian Plain; its basin taken in the Volgograd Region is several times larger than the Volga basin taken in the area. The relatively flat landscape of the Don plain, saturated with small rivers, gullies and ravines, as well as stone raw materials available for mining, have been creating favorable conditions for human habitation since the Middle Paleolithic. The well-known Paleolithic and Mesolithic sites are found both in the watersheds and in the floodplain-terrace areas of the Middle Don. The near-mouth section of the Kurmoyarsky Aksai river – the Don tributary in Kotelnikovo District – and the surroundings of Kremenskaya village in Kletskaya District are standing out in terms of being studied. The stone industry detected in the lower layers of the multilayered site Schlyakh indicates that the Don plain was inhabited by people during the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic transition. The prospects of further searches for Stone Age sites in the Middle Don Basin had already been proven by the discovery of at least forty sites in previous decades. Further archaeological research will help to discover new stratified sites with impressive collections of stone and bone items, which will make it possible to draw analogies with synchronous sites in the territories adjacent to the Volgograd region.

Artificial Stone Silicosis: Rapid Progression Following Exposure Cessation

Silicosis is rapidly emerging in high-income countries in relation to the replacement of natural stone with artificial stone, especially in the manufacturing and installation of kitchen and bathroom countertops. Progression of this form of silicosis following the cessation of exposure is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the radiologic progression and lung function in individuals with artificial stone silicosis. Between 2009 and 2018, a total of 106 patients were diagnosed with artificial stone silicosis in the Bay of Cádiz area (southern Spain), 14.15%by using biopsy results and the remainder according to chest radiography and high-resolution CT imaging. Follow-up consisted of respiratory function tests and radiographic studies. All patients stopped working in the stone industry following diagnosis. All patients were men; their mean ± SD age at diagnosis was 36.2 ± 7.0 years, and the mean duration of exposure was 12.0 ± 4.3 years. At diagnosis, 99 patients were considered to have simple silicosis (93.4%) and seven to have progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) (6.6%). After a mean follow-up of 4.01 ± 2.1 years, disease in 56%of patients had progressed two or more International Labour Office subcategories, and the number of patients with PMF had increased to 40 (37.7%). Regarding lung function, there was a decrease in FVC and FEV1, with an average decrease of 86.8 and 83.4mL per year, respectively; in 25%of patients, the annual decrease was > 157mL in FVC and > 133mL in FEV1. Multivariable analysis showed that lower FVC at diagnosis and longer duration of exposure to silica were associated with progression to PMF. Artificial stone silicosis rapidly progresses to PMF even following exposure cessation, and a significant percentage of patients experience a very rapid decrease in lung function.

Tracing Palaeolithic human routes through the geochemical characterisation of chert tools from Caune de Belvis (Aude, France)

Caune de Belvis (Aude, France) is located in the northern slopes of the eastern Pyrenees, in south-east France. Excavations at the site during the final decades of the past century identified several human occupations from the Late Mousterian (Maroto et al. 2003) and the Magdalenian periods (Sacchi 1993). The archaeological remains are mostly composed of faunal bones and a rich bone and stone industry. In this paper, we focused on the analysis of stone remains recovered in the Magdalenian levels. The goals of this study are to determine the territorial behaviour of Magdalenian groups settled at Caune de Belvis and to identify their lithic procurement strategies. To do so, we applied a range of techniques for analysing stone remains from the Magdalenian levels and geological samples from the geological formations that may have been used. First, macroscopic studies were carried out to determine the textural and micropalaeontological content; then, geochemical analyses were conducted to quantify the elemental chemical composition. Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) was used to quantify major and minor elements and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was then used to quantify trace elements. The results show that the Magdalenian groups from Caune de Belvis exploited a range of geological formations in the northern and southern Pyrenees. They also highlight the relationship existing between the two sides of the Pyrenees during the Upper Palaeolithic and bear witness to the inhabitants’ thorough knowledge of the Pyrenean area.

Ecological Fickerts Used in the Dimension Stones Polishing Reinforced with Silica from the Rice Hull Ash

The processing stages of the dimension stones industry uses inputs mainly from petroleum-derived chemicals that can cause damages to the environment and to the human health. Therefore, there is a need to develop more ecological and sustainable technologies aiming to replace the conventional inputs by less aggressive ones. From this, ecological fickerts made from polyurethane castor oil resin (Ricinus communis L.), silicon carbide (SiC), silica from rice hull ash (RHA) and synthetic diamonds were developed in order to compare them with the epoxy resin fickerts currently used in industry. For such, each half of a Brazilian granite slab was polished using each different type of fickerts and the gloss measures results were compared. It was found that the side of the slab polished using the ecological fickerts presented brightness values about 10 Gloss Units (GU) greater than the other side polished with the conventional abrasives. In addition, the ecological fickerts presented lower wear values, and consequently lower mass loss compared to the conventional ones. These results indicate that the ecological fickerts are a good alternative to the dimension stones polishing, even considering sustainability aspects and more eco-efficiency inputs materials.

Stone industry of the Kamennobalkovsky culture – current state of research (on the materials of the 2nd cultural layer of sites Kamennaya Balka II and Tretiy Mys)

The subject of this research is the collection of tools from the middle cultural layers of Upper Paleolithic monuments Kamennaya Balka II and the Tretiy Mys located in the Lower Don. The monuments that have been studied over the course of 50 years by scientific archaeological expeditions of Moscow University and State Historical Museum required additional examination and clarification of the main characteristics of stone industry, according to which was determined the Kamennobalkovsky Paleolithic culture. The traditional typological method of research was applied in working with the collections. The basic categories of tools processed via morphological analysis served as the foundation for this research. The author describes and compares the main categories of instrument, such as microliths with a blunted point, incisors, scrapers, burins, scaly and denticulate tools. The author identified and verified the signs that confirm similarity of the monuments and discrepancies in morphology of the groups and categories of tools. As a result, belonging of the middle cultural layers of monuments to Kamennobalkovsky culture was verified, which implies the 1,500-2,000 years of existence and development of the culture. It is also noted that the differences can be of temporal or industrial in nature at different sites of the monuments. The inventory of the main cultural layer of Kamennaya Balka II and 2nd cultural layer of the site Tretiy Mys is characterized with individual attributes that are distinct from the earlier or later layers of Kamennaya Balka sites.

Nouveau site du Paléolithique Moyen dans le Caucase Central (résultats préliminaires des études complexes)

The newest studies of the Caucasus Paleolithic indicate movements of human groups between the northern and southern, and western and eastern parts of this region. In the Baksan river valley in the north-central Caucasus, there is known a large source of obsidian, which was transported to sites in the north-western Caucasus already in the Middle Paleolithic. However, no stratified Middle Paleolithic site was known in the source area until 2016 when we discovered here the first cave site of Saradj-Chuko cave. The article presents the first results of a comprehensive research of this site. The Saradj-Chuko cave is located just 6–7km from the important obsidian source that represents the only source of obsidian, which was highly valued in the past, in the Northern Caucasus, and about 70km from the Elbrus volcanic peak. A comprehensive study in Saradj-Chuko cave began in 2017. A small (∼8 sq. m) excavation was dug next to the 2016 test pit. We report a detailed description of the materials excavated from the main Middle Paleolithic occupational Layer 6B. The study of the lithic assemblage allows us to make a preliminary conclusion that Layer 6B represents an active habitation level where Neanderthals were engaged in intensive flaking of obsidian and usage of tools made predominantly from obsidian for butchering and consumption of hunting game. The laminar character of the stone industry distinguishes the Mousterian industry of the north-central Caucasus and probably the entire Terek river basin from the Eastern Micoquian industry that is represented in factually all Middle Paleolithic sites in the north-western Caucasus (Kuban river basin), as well as makes the Mousterian of north-central Caucasus similar to the Mousterian industries known in the north-eastern Caucasus and the Southern Caucasus. We suggest cultural connections and contacts among Neanderthal groups from these regions during the Middle Paleolithic period.

Marble Quarry Waste Rock Piles and Evaluation of Their Reprocessing Potential for Lime and Cement Production (Marble Zone, Alentejo, Portugal)

Approximately 80% to 90% of the total stone extracted by the ornamental stone industry in the Marble Zone (Alentejo, South Portugal) is wasted and discarded in the numerous quarry waste rock piles across the region. This enormous amount of marble waste, representing millions of tons of stone each year, mostly with an expected high chemical composition of calcium carbonate, has significant potential with regards to reprocessing and use in other industries. This study evaluates the potential viability of these marble waste piles for reprocessing. The methodological approach, designed in two phases, firstly selected potential sites and, secondly implemented a sampling plan to allow for the laboratory analyses. In the first phase, a total of 178 waste rock piles were identified, corresponding to an estimated 70mn tons of marble raw material. In the second phase, 30 selected piles were sampled and chemically analysed by calcimetry, XRF and flame emission spectrometry. The results show that 7 of the sampled piles present CaCO3 content above 97%, and another 14 show contents between 95% - 97%. This indicates that the waste could be reprocessed to produce lime and/or cement (clay materials are found in the surrounding schist outcrops in the region). There is also the potential for aggregate production for civil engineering works.
 Keywords: marble, waste reprocessing, lime production

The relationship between the stone industry and the settlement

The relationship between the stone industry and the settlement

Ornamental stone wastes as an alternate raw material for soda-lime glass manufacturing

The ornamental stone industry is an important economic activity, but it generates great amounts of waste. A way to dispose the wastes is the glass industry. The paper’s goal was characterizing ornamental quartzite, granite and marble wastes and use as raw materials to produce soda-lime glasses. The granite and quartzite wastes have silica as its main component and the marble waste is composed by carbonates. The glasses made from the waste have similar properties to those of soda-lime glasses. These results show that the wastes can be used as alternate raw materials to glass manufacturing.

"Digging Deeper" into the Relationship Between Safety Climate and Turnover Intention Among Stone, Sand and Gravel Mine Workers: Job Satisfaction as a Mediator.

Employee turnover has been linked to negative business performance outcomes, increased costs, and disruptions to operations. Research to explore predictors of turnover intention is important to the mining industry, including the stone, sand, and gravel mining (SSGM) industry. Safety climate has been linked to job satisfaction and reductions in turnover intention in other fields, but investigation within SSGM has virtually been non-existent, creating a knowledge gap. This research seeks to address this dearth of information. Cross-sectional data from 452 workers in the SSGM industry were analyzed to assess the influence of safety climate on turnover intention through job satisfaction. Mediation analyses showed that job satisfaction significantly mediated the relationship between safety climate and turnover intention. The implications of these novel findings are important for SSGM administrators. It suggests that bolstering safety programs and increasing safety climate perceptions will help increase job satisfaction and reduce turnover intention among workers in the SSGM industry.

An interpretive structural modeling of drivers and barriers of sustainable supply chain management

PurposeThe Indian marble and stone industry has got the potential to contribute well to the development of the emerging economy. However, unlike the other Indian industries, stone and marble industries are highly underrated sectors, which may become a critical factor for development. This paper analyses the sustainability factors in supply chain management practices.Design/methodology/approachA literature review is used to identify the barriers and drivers in sustainable supply chain management practices. Interpretive structural modeling has been used to obtain a hierarchy of barriers and drivers along with driving power and dependence power analysis. Further, MICMAC analysis is used for segregating the barriers and drivers in terms of their impact on sustainability.FindingsThe findings of the work of this research are that the attention of society, government, and commercial banks should be more toward the unorganized condition of stone and marble sector. There should be an increase in the commitment of stakeholders to reduce pollution and install safety, by enforcing more relevant laws and regulations and creating the importance of environmental awareness.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this research is to identify the barriers and drivers of sustainable supply chain management in a stone and marble industry. The paper proposes a sound mathematical model to prioritize the critical factors for responsible production and consumption of resources from sustainability perspectives of stone industry.

SIGNIFICANCE OF MARBLE AND PORTLAND CEMENT

The aim of this current study is both to avoid the environmental. In this way, we will help to protect the environment by consuming the waste marble dust obtained as a by- product of marble sawing and shaping processes in the factories those operating in our region. Stone industry is an important factor in worldwide economy. Despite this, a large amount of residues is produced in ornamental stone industry with different dimension and particle size. The increasing rate at which raw material are continuously transformed into industrial products results in waste generation. Consequently, recycling of industrial wastes and byproducts is becoming a crucial demand by the environmental laws in agreement with the concept of sustainable development. The present study was therefore planned to explore the possibility of usage of waste marble powder (WMP) as partial replacement of sand for production of concrete This research work is concerned with the experimental investigation on strength of concrete and optimum percentage of the partial replacement by replacing (OPC) cement via 0%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5% and 20% of stone waste. Keeping all this view, the aim of the investigation is the behavior of concrete while replacing of waste with different proportions of stone waste in concrete by using tests like compression strength.