13C, 25Mg, and 43Ca Solid-State NMR for the Purpose of Dolomitic Marbles Provenance Elucidation

The study of the provenance of dolomitic marble artefacts has become relevant since it was discovered that quarries of this marble other than that of Cape-Vathy located on the island of Thasos have been exploited since Antiquity. To improve our knowledge about the provenance of materials and the extent of their dispersion, multiple archaeometric studies were performed in the past including isotope analyses, petrography, cathodoluminescence, and elemental analyses. In the present work, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been added to this panel of techniques. NMR allows the characterization of the material at a molecular level by looking at different nuclei: carbon, magnesium, and calcium. Statistical analysis of the data collected on both quarry samples and archaeologic items was also implemented and clearly demonstrates the efficiency of a holistic approach for provenance elucidation. Finally, the first Mg-25 NMR tests have shown the potential of this technique to discriminate between dolomitic marbles of different provenance. The results are discussed in terms of their historical meaning and illustrate the exploitation of sources of dolomitic marbles other than the Greek Thasos source.

Automated summary

The study investigates the origin of dolomitic marble artefacts, especially those from quarries other than Cape-Vathy on Thasos Island. Various archaeometric techniques, including isotope analysis, petrography, cathodoluminescence, and elemental analysis, have been used to improve knowledge about provenance. In this study, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is introduced to examine the molecular level of the material. Statistical analysis and Mg-25 NMR tests demonstrate the efficiency of a holistic approach for provenance determination and highlight the exploitation of dolomitic marble sources beyond the Greek Thasos source.