Marble sarcophagi from the st Philip church of Hierapolis and the north-east necropolis: archaeometric characterization and marble provenance identification

Recent investigations in the North-East Necropolis and in the st Philip church at Hierapolis brought to light numerous fragments of marble sarcophagi. The paper presents the results of the archaeological examinations carried out on these sarcophagi, which are discussed in integration with petrographic, isotopic and cathodoluminescence data. Imported sarcophagi from Dokimeion and others made of local marbles (especially from thiounta and Marmar tepe) are attested, suggesting a new scenario for the production activities and the presence of travelling craftsmen in the Lykos Valley. Also the reuse of the roman Imperial sarcophagi inside the byzantine building site of the st Philip church is discussed.