Roman quarries of the Iberian peninsula: "Anasol" and "Anasol"-type

Abstract

The Iberian peninsula is rich in marble, both white and coloured, of excellent quality, used in the past (Pliny NH, XXXVI, II) and also at the present time as material for building and decoration. Many types of these marbles are similar to some, better known, Greek, Italian, Egyptian and Asian marbles. During the Roman Empire "marmor carystium" was extensively used. Taking into account the great similarity of this marble with the "anasol" and "anasol"-types mined in Spain and Portugal, this work presents a minero-petrographic, chemical and geochemical characterisation of these lithotypes, aiming at finding parameters to distinguish them from the better-known Greek and Italian "cipollino verde". This result is of great importance in solving archaeological questions regarding the provenance of artifacts made of this marble. In fact, as hypothesised by some researchers, mainly in the Iberian peninsula (i.e., archaeological sites of Italica and Cartagena) in Roman Empire times the less expensive local marble was used instead of importing that from the imperial quarries. Study samples come from well-known Spanish (21 samples; Macael-Almeria, Almaden de la Plata-Seville) and Portuguese (14 samples; Viana do Alentejo-Evora, Vilavicosa-Evora) quarries. Thin sections microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, qualitative and quantitative determination of insoluble residues, chemistry, and O, C and Sr isotopes were carried out on these samples.The results clearly distinguish Spanish "anasol" from the Portuguese "anasol"-type, and also the Iberian "cipollino verde" from Greek and Apuan types based on petrographic and geochemical parameters including occurrence of dolomite and other noncarbonate minerals, metamorphic facies, rock texture and structure, insoluble residue contents, • 13 C vs • 18 O, and/or • 18 O vs 87 Sr/ 86 Sr.

Marmora of the Traianeum of Italica (Santiponce, Seville, Spain): New data provided by archaeometric analysis

“…Petrographic data show lepidoblastic textural features more similar to those found in Almadén de la Plata, to which we must add high MgO content in comparison to the varieties of the Estremoz Anticline. On the other hand, these textures are associated with marbles rich in dolomite, as already previous studies have pointed out (Morbidelli et al, 2007; Ontiveros et al, 2012; Tucci et al, 2010). Although these textural varieties have not yet been found on current quarry fronts, especially the most detritic levels of greenish coloration that characterizes this variety, the presence of greyish varieties rich in dolomitic has been verified.…”

“…Therefore, in some cases, there are doubts on the varieties, whereas to their provenance, especially with types of white marbles, as well as white with green, or greyish green bands, generically known in the bibliography as cipollino . This banded variety, present in the Traianeu m of Italica , can sometimes be easily mistaken with marmor Carystium of Euboea or with other types of foreign marble, such as the cipollino of the Apuan Alps (Negri Arnoldi et al, 1999) and especially with Hispanic varieties, like 'anasol' marble of Macael (Almeria), or the so‐called Portuguese 'anasol', as well as a variety from Almadén de la Plata (Seville) (Morbidelli et al, 2007; Tucci et al, 2010). The results of the study carried out by Tucci et al (2010) on marble samples of this variety from Italica should be taken into account: 25 samples were Italian cipollino from Apuan quarries (Alps Corchiae sector), 20 from Greek quarries of Euboea, and only 6 from Hispania , specifically from Macael (Almeria) quarries.…”

Establishing the provenance of the Nazareth Inscription: Using stable isotopes to resolve a historic controversy and trace ancient marble production

“…3A-D. Stable isotope values for marbles from Italy (Attanasio et al, 2006;Cavari et al, 2012;Franzini et al, 2010), Iberia (Lapuente et al, 2000;Morbidelli et al, 2007;Origlia et al, 2011) and North Africa (Antonelli et al, 2009;Origlia et al, 2012) are shown in Fig. 3A.…”

“…No less importantly, applying this type of geochemical analysis to inscriptions of known provenance and date promises to deliver vast amounts of new information on the history of individual production centers and the shifting demand for their marbles around the ancient Mediterranean economy. (Attanasio et al, 2006;Cavari et al, 2012;Franzini et al, 2010) , Iberia (Lapuente et al, 2000;Morbidelli et al, 2007;Origlia et al, 2011) and North Africa (Antonelli et al, 2009;Origlia et al, 2012). (B) Anatolian/Turkish marbles (Attanasio et al, 2006;Attanasio et al, 2008;Attanasio et al, 2009;Brilli et al, 2015;Cahill and Lazzarini, 2014;Capedri et al, 2004;De Paepe et al, 2004;De Paepe et al, 2006;Ramage and Tykot, 2011;Sekedat, 2016).…”

New approach to the differentiation of marble samples using thermal analysis and chemometrics in order to identify provenance

“…A wide variety of marbles has been available in the Mediterranean basin for over two millennia [ 3 ]. The identification of pure white marbles of Greek, Turkish, Spanish, Italian, or other origin [ 4 ], as well as their use to fabricate works of art and cultural heritage, was the subject of study by a number of scientists [ 5 , 6 ]. Indeed, a thorough scientific investigation is usually necessary in order to support and complete the work of historians and restorers [ 7 , 8 ] as, once the type of marble used to make the artistic artefacts under study has been identified, an attempt can be made to solve the problems related to restoration and conservation.…”