A database of the ancient marbles of Göktepe near Aphrodisias is reported, and includes 160 white, black and bichrome samples from 13 quarries and two waste deposits. The quarries are grouped into four districts. Districts 1 and 2, to the north, produced exclusively black or dark grey marbles (nero antico). Districts 3 and 4 produced white statuary marble. Nero antico and a black and white stone were also quarried in district 4, where the black marble surfaces again. The samples were characterized using petrography, isotopic analysis, EPR spectroscopy and trace analysis. The Göktepe white exhibits an unparalleled combination of fine grain, low EPR intensity and high strontium concentration that often allows easy identification. The isotopic values are less distinctive and similar to those for Carrara. In most cases, however, they are tightly grouped and also quite indicative. The black marbles exhibit a much weaker metamorphic overprint. With respect to the white marbles, they show analytical similarities but also notable differences. Therefore, establishing their provenance can be more difficult and may require the support of petrographic analysis. The results suggest that the Göktepe marbles were among the most prized and widespread statuary marbles used in Roman times, particularly from the early second century AD onwards.

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An updated database of Ephesos marbles including 244 samples from 16 quarrying districts is reported. The unknown Greco Scritto quarries near Hasançavuslar and the Bigio marbles from the quarries of Belevi and of Mt Panayir are also presented. The paper, however, is mostly devoted to the identification of the Ephesos white marbles, whereas the problems posed by the Bigio and Greco Scritto varieties are deferred to future work. The samples have been characterized by isotopic analysis, EPR spectroscopy and additional petrographic and optical properties. Owing to the complex geology of the region, the white marbles of Ephesos exhibit rather inhomogeneous properties and are conveniently classified into four marble groups, which can be almost completely discriminated. The problem of distinguishing the Ephesos white marbles from other similar varieties has been dealt with by statistically comparing the Ephesos samples with all the similar, medium‐grained varieties present in the marble database. Although some of the four Ephesos groups can be reliably identified, general solution of the discriminant problem is difficult. Historical archaeological information is needed to reduce the complexity of the problem by eliminating unlikely provenances. In this way relevant problems, such as the discrimination between Ephesos and Proconnesos marbles, can be solved.

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