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Provenance of Construction Stone Materials in Archaeology: New Advances, Methodologies...
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Provenance of Construction Stone Materials in Archaeology: New Advances, Methodologies and Issues

A special issue of Heritage (ISSN 2571-9408). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials and Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2025) | Viewed by 3978

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Simone Dilaria

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Guest Editor
Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Padova, Piazza Capitaniato 7, 35139 Padova, Italy
Interests: ancient Stone; ancient mortar and plasters; trades of construction materials in archaeology; geochemistry; petrography and mineralogy applied to cultural heritage
Prof. Dr. Jacopo Bonetto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Padova, Piazza Capitaniato 7, 35139 Padova, Italy
Interests: stone trades; ancient architecture; archaeological excavation and stratigraphy; ancient landscapes
Dr. Caterina Previato

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Padua, Piazza Capitaniato 7, 35139 Padua, Italy
Interests: ancient quarries; construction techniques; ancient stones and marbles; archaeological excavation and stratigraphy; architectural survey; photogrammetry in archaeology
Prof. Dr. Domenico Miriello

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci, 87036 Rende, Italy
Interests: archaeometry; mortars; plasters; pottery; ancient stones; petrography and mineralogy applied to the cultural heritage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Anna Gutiérrez Garcia-Moreno

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Archaeometric Studies Unit, Institut Català d'Arqueologia Clàssica (ICAC), 43003 Tarragona, Spain
Interests: roman archaeology; archaeometry; marbles; stone exploitation and use

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to the Special Issue entitled ‘Provenance of Construction Stone Materials in Archaeology: New Advances, Methodologies and Issues’. The study of stone materials in archaeology is increasingly crucial for understanding the supply and trade dynamics of raw materials, as well as the movement of skilled labour and the transfer of technological knowledge in ancient societies. The widespread adoption of archaeometric techniques has significantly advanced knowledge of stone provenance in ancient constructions, although methodological challenges persist. These challenges, which include instrumental limitations, lack of geological data for certain regions, and the inherent properties of raw materials, often prevent definitive sourcing or supply area identification.

The objective of this Special Issue is to document and discuss recent advances in stone provenance studies, to exemplify the methodologies used, and to outline the limitations and challenges within archaeological science. Articles are invited that delve into the historical and archaeological relevance of these approaches, examining applications and studies related to ancient construction materials and their uses in architecture.

We welcome original research articles and reviews that address topics such as the application of stone materials in ancient architecture, stone trade, provenance determination methodologies, analytical constraints, and innovative case studies. We look forward to your contributions to this important discourse on the provenance of construction stones in archaeology.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Simone Dilaria
Prof. Dr. Jacopo Bonetto
Dr. Caterina Previato
Prof. Dr. Domenico Miriello
Dr. Anna Gutiérrez Garcia-Moreno
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Heritage is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ancient stones
  • archaeometry
  • ancient quarries
  • stone provenance and trade
  • archaeology of architecture
  • ancient economics

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 6016 KB  
Article
Statistical Learning Improves Classification of Limestone Provenance
by Rok Brajkovič and Klemen Koselj
Heritage 2025, 8(11), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8110464 (registering DOI) - 6 Nov 2025
Abstract
Determining the lithostratigraphic provenance of limestone artefacts is challenging. We addressed the issue by analysing Roman stone artefacts, where previously traditionalpetrological methods failed to identify the provenance of 72% of the products due to the predominance of micrite limestone. We applied statistical classification [...] Read more.
Determining the lithostratigraphic provenance of limestone artefacts is challenging. We addressed the issue by analysing Roman stone artefacts, where previously traditionalpetrological methods failed to identify the provenance of 72% of the products due to the predominance of micrite limestone. We applied statistical classification methods to 15 artefacts using linear discriminant analysis, decision trees, random forest, and support vector machines. The latter achieved the highest accuracy, with 73% of the samples classified to the same stratigraphic member as determined by the expert. We improved classification reliability and evaluated it by aggregating the results of different classifiers for each stone product. Combining aggregated results with additional evidence from paleontological data or precise optical microscopy leads to successful provenance determination. After a few samples were reassigned in this procedure, a support vector machine correctly classified 87% of the samples. Strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) proved particularly effective as provenance indicators. We successfully assigned all stone products to local sources across four lithostratigraphic members, thereby confirming local patterns of stone use by Romans. We provide guidance for future use of statistical learning in provenance determination. Our integrated approach, combining geological and statistical expertise, provides a robust framework for challenging provenance determination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Provenance of Construction Stone Materials in Archaeology: New Advances, Methodologies and Issues)
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17 pages, 9894 KB  
Article
Ultrasonic Evaluation of Mechanical Properties in Heritage Buildings Constructed with Córdoba Freestone
by Beatriz Zapico-Blanco, Jose Daniel Rodríguez-Mariscal and Mario Solis Muñiz
Heritage 2025, 8(11), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8110462 - 5 Nov 2025
Abstract
This study characterises the natural stone used in the Great Mosque of Córdoba (Spain) and establishes correlations to enable non-destructive, in situ assessment of the mechanical strength of the material. Quarry ashlars of the same biocalcarenite were tested to determine bulk density, ultrasonic [...] Read more.
This study characterises the natural stone used in the Great Mosque of Córdoba (Spain) and establishes correlations to enable non-destructive, in situ assessment of the mechanical strength of the material. Quarry ashlars of the same biocalcarenite were tested to determine bulk density, ultrasonic wave propagation velocity (UWPV), and mechanical properties from uniaxial compression, splitting tension, and three-point bending tests (over 100 specimens). The stone showed no significant anisotropy or specimen size effects within the investigated ranges. Reference mechanical values were obtained, with a mean uniaxial compressive strength of about 6 MPa. A strong linear correlation was found between UWPV and compressive strength (R2 ≈ 0.86), supporting the use of ultrasonic testing to estimate compressive strength on site. In addition, flexural strength can be also estimated since it correlated strongly with compressive strength (R2 ≈ 0.95); in contrast, the correlation with tensile strength was moderate (R2 ≈ 0.31). The results provide validated relationships for Córdoba freestone that improve the reliability of ultrasonic tests for providing valuable information for structural analysis, maintenance, and conservation strategies for heritage buildings constructed with this kind of stone. The proposed approach offers a practical pathway for damage-free evaluation of mechanical performance in historical masonry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Provenance of Construction Stone Materials in Archaeology: New Advances, Methodologies and Issues)
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18 pages, 5737 KB  
Article
Limestones in the Roman Architecture of Oderzo and Concordia Sagittaria (Italy): Petrography and Provenance
by Chiara Girotto and Claudio Mazzoli
Heritage 2025, 8(10), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8100429 - 13 Oct 2025
Viewed by 354
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a research project on the use of stone in Roman architecture in Oderzo and Concordia Sagittaria, located between the Tagliamento and the Piave rivers (Italy). The study involved a documental survey, material sampling and analysis, provenance identification, [...] Read more.
This paper presents the results of a research project on the use of stone in Roman architecture in Oderzo and Concordia Sagittaria, located between the Tagliamento and the Piave rivers (Italy). The study involved a documental survey, material sampling and analysis, provenance identification, and interpretation of results to reconstruct ancient stone trade routes. During sampling, 33 carbonate rock specimens were collected from archaeological sites and architectural elements in Oderzo, and 52 from Concordia Sagittaria. In both cities, these rocks were primarily used for architectural elements such as columns and capitals, whereas these lithotypes were less frequently employed in structures and infrastructures. The analysis revealed a significant reliance on regional limestones. Petrographic examinations (PLM-TL) identified six main limestone groups, many of which were linked to quarries located in the Aurisina and in the Triestine Karst region, as well as in the Prealps and Berici Hills. The study encountered several challenges: many analysed samples displayed petrographic characteristics consistent with multiple sources, complicating the precise identification of their extraction site. Despite a detailed understanding of the region’s geology, reference geological datasets often overlook outcrops that may have been exploited in antiquity. Consequently, when samples lacked distinctive features, tracing them to a particular quarrying basin proved difficult. In conclusion, the research underscores the extensive use of local limestones while acknowledging the challenges posed by limited petrographic reference data, which hinder the precise identification of the source basins of the materials used in Roman construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Provenance of Construction Stone Materials in Archaeology: New Advances, Methodologies and Issues)
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27 pages, 12120 KB  
Article
The Menhir as an Oral Tradition in Cattle-Raising Territories: First Geological Provenance Analyses at the Antequera Heritage Site, Spain
by Lidia Cabello-Ligero, Primitiva Bueno-Ramírez, María José Armenteros-Lojo, José Suarez Padilla, José L. Caro Herrero, Rodrigo de Balbín-Behrmann, Rosa Barroso-Bermejo, Alia Vázquez Martínez, Juan José Durán Valsero, Sergio Raúl Durán-Laforet, Rafael Jordá Bordehore, Raquel Morales García and Miguel Ángel Varo Sánchez-Garrido
Heritage 2025, 8(8), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8080291 - 22 Jul 2025
Viewed by 3206
Abstract
The great megalithic sites reveal an extended use of their monuments. In Late Prehistory, in Protohistory, and even in historical times, dolmens remained visible references on the landscape and were central for navigating it. The megaliths of Menga, Viera, and Romeral provide quality [...] Read more.
The great megalithic sites reveal an extended use of their monuments. In Late Prehistory, in Protohistory, and even in historical times, dolmens remained visible references on the landscape and were central for navigating it. The megaliths of Menga, Viera, and Romeral provide quality data to confirm their continued relevance. Our aim here is to understand whether menhirs also played that role, using the area of Tierras de Antequera, which is connected to the sea, as a case study. With that goal in mind, a research project has been initiated through intensive archaeological field surveying, combined with the collection of testimonies from oral tradition and other archaeological tools such as GIS, geophysical prospection, photogrammetry and RTI, for the detection of engravings and paintings on some of the located landmarks. We present in this paper the first geological analyses in the megalithic territory of Antequera to determine the raw material of the menhirs that are studied and the geological outcrops from which they come. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Provenance of Construction Stone Materials in Archaeology: New Advances, Methodologies and Issues)
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