Provenance analysis of marble ecclesiastical elements from the extra-mural Byzantine Church of Udhruh (South Jordan (original) (raw)
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This research investigates marble trade and supply to north Jordan during the Byzantine period. The Archaeological site of Rihab is famous for its wealth of churches renowned for their mosaics and marble. Twenty-one samples of decorated marble used in building the chancel screens of four churches were selected for scientific analyses to determine their provenance. In addition to the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) the main discriminating technique, oxygen and carbon stable isotopes and maximum grain size were measured and compared to the databases of ancient quarries from the Mediterranean region. The results showed that the most probable source of most of the samples is Proconnesos (Marmara, Turkey), while only two samples exhibit clearly different properties and have been identified as Docimium (Afyon, Turkey) marble. The results also indicated that the Marmara Island remained a major center of marble trade to this region during the Byzantine times probably because of its good quality and low cost.
CHARACTERIZATION AND PROVENANCE OF MARBLE CHANCEL SCREENS, ΝORTHERN JORDAN
This research characterizes marble chancel screens and their supporting columns, confiscated from treasure thieves, probably from northern Jordan in order to manage the most fruitful conservation and restoration interventions for them. It provides new archaeometric data and determines the probable source of the marbles. The results of mineropetrographic, X-ray diffraction and carbon and oxygen stable isotope analyses show that the marbles most probably are Proconnesian-1. The results agree with the historical records supported by archaeometric analyses that Proconnesos marble was widely used during the Roman and Byzantine periods for architectural purposes. The results suggest that color style of Proconnesian marble astonished the Byzantine stonemasons and architects thus have been widely used.
Characterization and Provenance Study of Marble from Udhruh, Southern Jordan
2019
This paper analyses and discusses marble found at the Roman site of Udhruh in southern Jordan. Marble is highly valued in Roman culture, and while its use in architecture was widespread across the empire, there were only a relatively few high quality sources. Southern Jordan was not one of these, and so Udhruh's marble was sufficiently highly regarded to be transported into the region from distant sources. Marble from the site was studied and then sampled followed by petrological, mineralogical, and geochemical investigation techniques to identify the possible source of marble. Results indicate that Udhruh's marble is quite hard calcitic marble exhibits exhibit xenoblastic texture, and the chemical composition indicates marble quarries in Greece with a probable contribution from Petra.
Characterization and Provenance of Marble Chancel Screens, Northern Jordan
Mediterranean …, 2007
This research characterizes marble chancel screens and their supporting columns, confiscated from treasure thieves, probably from northern Jordan in order to manage the most fruitful conservation and restoration interventions for them. It provides new archaeometric data and determines the probable source of the marbles. The results of mineropetrographic, X-ray diffraction and carbon and oxygen stable isotope analyses show that the marbles most probably are Proconnesian-1. The results agree with the historical records supported by archaeometric analyses that Proconnesos marble was widely used during the Roman and Byzantine periods for architectural purposes. The results suggest that color style of Proconnesian marble astonished the Byzantine stonemasons and architects thus have been widely used.
The White Marbles of the Tomb of Christ in Jerusalem: Characterization and Provenance
MDPI, Sustainability, Special Issue Natural Sciences in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 11, 2495., 2019
In this work, samples of the white marbles enclosing the Tomb of Christ, as well as samples from the interior marble facades of the Holy Aedicule structure surrounding the Tomb of Christ in the Church of Resurrection in Jerusalem, are investigated using petrographic and isotopic analysis. The aim is to characterize the marble samples and investigate their provenance. The results demonstrate that all examined marble samples originate from Proconnesos (Marmara island), and can be attributed to the so-called Proconnesos-1 variety. Published maximum grain size (MGS) and isotopic (δ 18 O and δ 13 C) values of Proconessos quarries are compared with the respective values displayed by the marble samples of the Holy Aedicule, aiming to achieve-to a certain degree-intra-site discriminations. A number of ancient quarries are excluded through this double parameter criterion as sources for the examined Holy Aedicule marbles. The discussion of petrographic and isotopic results in relation to historical testimonies and previously published archaeometry results, regarding the mortars of the Holy Aedicule, reveal that Proconnesos marble was the material of choice used at different construction phases of the Holy Aedicule, from the time of Constantine the Great and throughout the centuries, both for the cladding of the Holy Tomb and the interior facings of the Tomb Chamber and the Chapel of the Angel.
Although most of the ancient monuments found in Ruspina Roman town situated near the town of Monastir in the Sahil region of Tunisia were built with local materials, the Roman baths in this site were mainly decorated with imported marbles from Greece, Asia, Numidia, Italy and Algeria, indicating the important trade relationships between Ruspina and the other Mediterranean Roman towns. Among the seven types of marbles used in the decoration of Ruspina's Roman baths, four have been characterized in previous studies: white Proconnesian from Asia, Penthelic and green cipolin from Greece, and Antique yellow from Simitthus in Tunisia. To characterize and identify the other three types, series of analytical methods had to be applied: minero-petrographic analysis of thin sections, chemical analysis, and isotopic analysis of oxygen and carbon. Used together, the methods enabled to identify the marbles studied: the white fine-grained marble corresponds to Carrara white marble from Italy, and the spotted dull grey and greco scritto came from Cap de Garde quarries in Algeria. With the exception on one type (antique yellow), the other six types were imported marbles.
“The Sanctuary of the Great Gods” on Samothrace: An extended marble provenance Study
Documenta 23, 2012
The Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace rose to prominence in the second half of the 4th century BC with the construction of splendid marble buildings connected with the special allegiance of the Macedonians. The monuments arose in rapid succession, culminating in the famous Hellenistic statue, Nike of Samothrace. It has long been assumed that their marble came chiefly from the nearby Thasos, but visual inspection suggested other marbles as well. Samples for marble provenance investigation were taken from a wide range of monuments. The techniques of Maximum Grain Size measurements, EPR spectroscopy and Stable Isotope analysis were jointly used. The results showed a complex pattern of provenance including Thasian, Pentelic, Parian and Proconnesian marble, sometimes in combination. The presence of Proconnesian marble at least by the early 3rd century BC confirms the use of this marble in the early Hellenistic period. The Nike and its ship base were also investigated and the marble identified.
Applied Physics A, 2013
This paper reports the results of an archaeometric study of the crystalline marbles used in the Roman city of Banasa (Morocco). On-site surveys allowed a detailed inspection of the monuments of the ancient city and sampling of the different marble lithotypes used for architectural purposes and sculptures. The inventory was completed by the study of both the grey-and-white streaked or spotted marble items stored in the warehouse of the archaeological site and of those currently exhibited at the National Archaeological Museum of Rabat. Provenance determination of 28 samples was carried out by means of a multi-method approach combining mineralogical-petrographic data and CO stable isotope analyses as the first step, and cathodoluminescence microscopy as a complementary technique to verify possible unusual alternative origins of some marbles. The analytical results obtained were compared with both the most reliable international databases and the few available studies dealing with the use of marble in other Roman towns in Morocco (e.g., Volubilis, Thamusida and Sala-Chellah). They point to a variety of classical marble sources such as Carrara, Mount Penteli, Paros, Marmara and probably Mount Filfila (Algeria), and prove a significant import of Iberian lithotypes.