Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

view of stone 301

Corsi 301, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 301  
Name and quarry location: Alabastro fiorito, most probably from the Pamukkale area, Denizli, Turkey  
Geological description: Compact banded travertine, brecciated in places, composed of fine- to medium-grained calcite with some orange-brown ferruginous bands. Abundant cavities contain greyish brown wax filler.  
Comments: Corsi assumed all the ancient 'alabasters' were from Egypt, but many were not. The spa resort of Pamukkale is the site of the ancient city of Hierapolis, and travertine, deposited by hot springs, forms huge terraces from which stone was extracted in ancient times, and is still quarried to this day. Ancient quarries have been located near the ruins of Hierapolis and near the village of Gölemezli.  
References: Borghini (1997) 142-145; Bruno (2002a); Corsi (1845) 133, 135-136; Lazzarini (2002c) 253; Mielsch (1985) 37, taf.1; Price (2007) 56  
Further information: Alabaster-travertine.pdf
 


Corsi's classification: Class 1. Marbles; Section 4. Concretionary marbles; Species 1. Alabasters; i. Antique alabaster  
Corsi's text: 93.8 Alabastro antico. Marmor Alabastrum. Alabastro a occhj... la cava [era al] Tebaide oggi Sayd  

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