| OUMNH Number: |
805
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| Name and quarry location: |
Porfido serpentino antico, porfido Vitelli, from Krokees (Levetsova), Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece
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| Geological description: |
Porphyritic andesite of Permian to Carboniferous age, weakly metamorphosed and coloured green by epidote and other iron silicates. The phenocrysts are plagioclase feldspar.
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| Comments: |
This stone has long been known as porfido serpentino verde, a confusing misnomer as it is not a serpentinite. It is a very durable stone that is found in relatively small blocks in the area of Krokees. It was used in ancient times and reused extensively in the Cosmati pavements of churches and cathedrals in Italy and elsewhere. Corsi's collection shows a number of varieties; the paving of St Peter's square in the Vatican shows it in all its kinds.
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| References: |
Borghini (1997) 279-281, 284; Corsi (1845) 205-209; Lazzarini (2002c) 254-256; Porter (1907); Price (2007) 206-207; Rogers (2008) 43-44; Zezza (2002)
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| Further information: |
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