Provenance Characteristics of Cycladic (Paros and Naxos) Marbles — A Multivariate Geological Approach

Abstract

Marbles quarried on the Cycladic islands Paros and Naxos played a prominent role in the evolution of Greek sculpture and architecture. In sacral context, marble first occurred in form of the famous figurines of the Cycladic culture (3rd millenium). In the 7th century the earliest large-format Greek statue was created on Naxos, and the “Oikos of the Naxians” on the island of Delos represents the first early Archaic (6th century) cult building covered by a marble roof. Starting from its birth place and experimental field on the islands, Cycladic marble architecture has decisively influenced the development of the classical architecture on Attic mainland and in Athens in particular (1). To furnish direct proof of export of Cycladic architectural know-how — which obviously required also export of Cycladic marbles — the reliable assignment of marble artifacts from buildings outside the islands to a Cycladic source would be a valuable contribution. Within the frame of a joint archaeometrical project we analyzed marbles mainly from the “treasuries” at Delphi for a possible Cycladic provenance, but included also marbles from antique buildings on Delos, and the marble producing islands Paros and Naxos themselves. For comparison few samples from Ephesos buildings were analyzed in addition.