Results are reported here from the isotopic analysis of several non-white marble objects from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, as part of our continuing collaboration on the source tracing of classical marble sculpture.

Grey- or black-and-white bichrome sculpture seems to be a characteristic product of Asia Minor and are usually attributed to Aphrodisias where several have been found. Based on visual inspection and grain size analysis, however, it appears that Dokimion could also be the source of some bichrome marble objects. This hypothesis is tested with the results of stable isotope analyses of both white and grey (or black) samples from four bichrome sculptures.

Stable isotope analysis was also performed on several Minoan bowls from Crete. One has been suggested to be made in banded travertine from the island of Dia, from which geological specimens were also tested. Our results indicate that this bowl is not from Dia, so that alternative potential sources must be sought. Other vessels, lighter in color than the perfect purple characteristic of Rosso Antico, could be from Mani (Lazzarini 1990; Gorgoni et al. 1992). Reddish stone is also known from Rhodes, where it was used for sculpture in the Hellenistic period. The results of our isotopic analysis are consistent with a quarry source at Mani.
 

Lazzarini, L. 1990. Rosso Antico and other red marbles used in antiquity: a characterization study. In M. True & J. Podany (eds.), Marble. Art Historical and Scientific Perspectives on Ancient Sculpture, 237-52. Malibu: The J. Paul Getty Museum.

Gorgoni, C., I. Kokkinakis, L. Lazzarini & M. Mariottini. 1992. Geochemical and petrographic characterization of Rosso Antico and other white-grey marbles of Mani (Greece). In M. Waelkens, N. Herz & L. Moens (eds.), Ancient Stones: Quarrying, Trade and Provenance, 155-165. Leuven University Press.