White and Colored marbles from Turkey in the Ancient Roman world

Several unknown white and colored ancient marble quarries were discovered during several survey campaigns carried out in western Asia Minor since 2006 and still in progress. Some of the new sites, like the huge Bigio Antico quarries near Iznik (ancient Nicea) or the Greco Scritto quarries of Hasançavuslar in the region of Ephesos were, apparently, completely unknown. Others like the pavonazzetto-like marbles near Milas (Milas Lilac) are still actively exploited but their role in ancient times was unnown. Pavonazzetto, but also white marble quarries were identified not far from Aphrodisias. A great Broccatellone quarry was found in the Karaburun peninsula not far from Izmir. In the same peninsula, but also near Manisa, NE of Izmir, some Breccia Corallina quarries were identified. On the basis of the newly discovered quarries several provenances that were misunderstood in the past, now become clear. This is the case of the white and black marbles of Göktepe, the bigio antico marble of Belevi, the greco scritto of Hasançavuslar and many others. In general this study seems to change radically our knowledge of the use and trade of marble in antiquity. Besides, it shows clearly that modern Turkey, ancient Asia Minor, was the richest source of white and colored marbles in the ancient Roman world.