Isotopic Geochemistry Applied on Marble Samples of Kythnos Island in Greece

Abstract

The present contribution aims to study the isotopic characteristics of various marbles from the archaeological site of Kythnos Island in the Cyclades, Greece. The database of this research is very important and useful in the conservation and restoration of monuments as these tasks should aim at preserving their material status and their authenticity. The characterization of marble taken from this site contributes significantly to the determination of the origin of the raw materials used in monuments in the wider area of the Aegean Sea. Samples were obtained mainly from the inner layers of the findings, which were not exposed to the weather conditions and without remarkable traces or signs of severe corrosion. The methods that were used required very small quantities of material. The measurements are considered almost non-destructive and based on isotopic geochemistry.