Analysis and Discrimination of Phrygian and Other Pavonazzetto-like marbles

An isotopic, EPR, and grain size database of pavonazzetto and pavonazzetto-like marbles including 7 different sites, mostly in western Asia Minor, has been established. Besides the well known quarries at Iscehisar, Altinta? and Skyros, the sites recently discovered in Caria, near Aphrodisias and Milas, and in Ionia near Teos, are included. The results show that the term pavonazzetto, as commonly used, includes a number of different materials. Although macroscopic identification is often possible, the support of analytical, statistical provenancing is indispensable in a number of instances. The Docimium quarries remain by far the most important source of pavonazzetto marble. Despite this, it can be demonstrated that alternative sources were extensively used in Asia Minor, at Aphrodisias, Ephesos, Perge and elsewhere. More importantly it has also been possible to prove that pavonazzetto-like marbles underwent long distance export and reached Italy and Rome where raw marble blocks, architectural elements and sculptures have been identified.