Electron Spin Resonance Study of White Marbles From Tharros (Sardinia): A Reappraisal of the Technique, Possibilities and Limitations*

Abstract

The characterization of various samples of white marble from the archaeological site of Tharros (Sardinia) is the starting point for the reexamination of the capabilities of electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy as a tool for identifying the quarries of origin of ancient marble artefacts. Existing methods and data bases are employed for the assignment of our samples, but also reviewed to see if a more extensive use of the technique is feasible. It turns out that ESR spectroscopy, coupled with other available methods, may readily provide valuable information, often yielding the final answer to the problem of marble provenance. However, it is also clear that much work has still to be done to standardize the data collection and analysis procedures and to expand the available data base.

ESR Spectroscopy as a Tool for Identifying Joining Fragments of Antique Marbles: The Example of a Pulpit by Donatello and Michelozzo

“…Furthermore the multivariate nature of the problem must be exploited by defining proper classification rules based on statistical analysis of the variable vectors measured for the quarry samples. In the field of marble provenance ESR spectroscopy, primarily based on the measurement of selected spectral features of the Mn 2ϩ impurity commonly present in marbles, may give an important contribution, which has been recently reexamined (11)(12)(13).…”

Determination of the hyperfine coupling constant and zero‐field splitting in the ESR spectrum of Mn2+ in calcite

“…1,2 Very important applications are the characterisation of marble 3,4 and the evaluation of its provenance in archaeometry. 5 -9 The ESR spectrum of Mn 2C in calcite has been extensively studied since 1954 both from the experimental and theoretical points of view.…”

Provenance of archaeological limestone with EPR spectroscopy: the case of the Cypriote-type statuettes

“…This spectral structure is common in polycrystalline carbonates (marble, calcite etc) and has been discussed by several authors [5,17]. The intensity of these lines depends on the concentration of Mn 2+ in the carbonate phase and is used for discriminating between ancient quarries in marble provenance investigation [1,5,29]. …”