Classification of Asia Minor marbles based on crystal size for archaeometric assignment
Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences, vol.34, no.SI-1, pp.190-197, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 34 Issue: SI-1
- Publication Date: 2025
- Doi Number: 10.55730/1300-0985.1953
- Journal Name: Turkish Journal of Earth Sciences
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Geobase, INSPEC, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Page Numbers: pp.190-197
- Keywords: Asia Minor marbles, marble crystal size, marble crystal size classification
- Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
This study was carried out to determine the range of crystal sizes of Asia Minor marbles and to classify the marbles according to crystal size. Asia Minor marbles have been used as building stones since ancient times. The literature already includes studies on their crystal sizes; however, different studies performed on marbles of the same locality have reported different crystal size classes, which has caused complexity. To eliminate this complexity, this study used multidirectional petrographic analyses on the eight known Asia Minor marbles. Thin sections were photographed under a polarizing microscope, and the crystal sizes of the samples were measured using computerized image analysis. An average of 500 size measurements were taken for each sample to determine the mean and maximum crystal sizes of each marble. For archaeometric evaluation of the marbles, a crystal size classification is suggested. According to this suggested classification, crystal sizes of 100–250 μm, 250–1000 μm, and >1000 μm are defined as fine crystal, medium crystal and coarse crystal, respectively.