Corsi Collection of Decorative Stones

view of stone 62

Corsi 62, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

side view of stone 62

side view of stone 62, approx. 145 x 73 x 40 mm, © Oxford University Museum of Natural History

OUMNH Number: 62  
Name and quarry location: Rosso antico, from Akra Tainaron (Cape Matapan), Mani peninsula, Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece  
Geological description: A fine-grained hematite-stained calcite marble of late Cretaceous to Eocene age. Slender black veins are evident, and trace manganese contributes to the red colouring.  
Comments: Like Corsi 61, this sample is believed to be from Cape Matapan. Stone from this locality was first extracted around 1700 BC, most stone was quarried in Roman times. Ancient quarries were rediscovered at Skutari in 1830, and then at Profitis Elias and Paganea. These were reopened later in the nineteenth century, with sporadic extraction in the 20th century. Monochrome red marbles can be difficult to provenance, a problem discussed by Gorgoni, Lazzarini & Pallante (2002). For more about Corsi's mis-attribution of the name marmor Alabandicum, see Rossoantico.pdf.  
References: Borghini (1997) 288; Corsi (1845) 91-94; Gorgoni (2002a); Lazzarini (2002c) 256; Mielsch (1985) 59, taf.17; Price (2007) 122-123; Rogers (2003) 56-57; Rogers (2008) 36-37  
Further information:
 


Corsi's classification: Class 1. Marbles; Section 1. Monochrome marbles; Species 5. Red marbles  
Corsi's text: 38.2 Altro rosso antico  

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