Normandy chalkstone (France): geology and historical uses from quarries to monuments

Ballesteros, Daniel; Painchault, Aude; Nehmé, Carole; Todisco, Dominique; Varano, Mariacristina; Mouralis, Damase

doi:10.18814/epiiugs/2020/0200s03

Cited by 4 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The rework of building stones from previous constructions has not been reported to date, only the reuse of bricks (Blain et al, 2010). The potential reuse of ashlars should be negligible due to the relatively low durability of the chalkstone (Ballesteros et al, 2021). We followed six steps: selection of study buildings and sampling, geological mapping and quarrying sampling, microscopic analyses, whole-rock chemical analyses, 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotope ratios measurements and stone quality evaluation.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chalk is a singular limestone widely used in historical constructions and ornamentations in North‐Central Europe (Figure 1a) (Ballesteros et al, 2021; D. A. Bone, 2016; De Kock et al, 2015; Dusar et al, 2011; Turmel et al, 2016), and to a lesser extent in Crete (Gertwagen, 1988), the Middle East (Nurit & Boaz, 2018) and Persia (Rouhi et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The project Archéomatériaux: Territoire, Patrimoine (ATP) was established to study the spatial distribution of Normandy Chalkstone in Eastern Normandy. This rock was nominated as a Global Heritage Stone Resource due to its significant historical role (Ballesteros et al, 2021). The present work aims to identify and characterize the used chalkstones, their sources and diffusion zones between the 10th and 14th centuries combining archaeological and geological analyses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chalk is a singular limestone widely used in historical constructions and ornamentations in North-Central Europe (Figure 1a) (Ballesteros et al, 2021;D. A.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sourcing of chalkstone used in medieval buildings in the Eastern Duchy of Normandy (10th−14th centuries) through geological and geochemistry analyses

et al. 2022

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The provenance of medieval building stones links historic constructions with their quarrying areas, thereby revealing medieval trade routes and the spatial organization of past societies. In northern France, the Duchy of Normandy played a significant role in the medieval history of Europe, situated at the centre of the disputes between the English and French kingdoms. However, the historical documentation from this period is scarce, particularly in terms of the quarrying industry. Our study aims to define the quarrying areas and their diffusion zones and map the territorial organization of Eastern Normandy during the 10th-14th centuries. A multidisciplinary procedure using archaeological, geological and geochemical techniques was designed to establish the provenance of Normandy Chalkstone. First, we obtained a representative assembly of building stones by the selection and strategic sampling of 22 buildings. Second, we determined areas of chalk bedrock from a geological map rendered through GIS and sampled chalkstones from natural outcrops and quarries. In total, 118 samples from buildings, quarries and natural outcrops were characterized via optical microscopy and geochemical analyses for major, minor and trace elements (XRF, ICP-MS and ICP-OES), as well as for 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotope ratios (MC-ICP-MS). The application in situ of pXRF analysis allows for the identification of Normandy Chalkstone sources preserved in archaeological sites. The results indicate that all chalkstones came from five local varieties of Normandy Chalkstone and one of Shelly Limestone imported from nearby regions. The suitability of chalkstone as construction material was evaluated in situ using a sclerometer, which revealed that the singular and local geological features of the chalkstone make it suitable for walling. Our study demonstrates the development of a prominent and relatively continued quarrying industry over the 10th to 14th centuries in Eastern Normandy. The main quarrying areas were constituted of three chalkstone diffusion zones that run coevally with smaller and apparently sporadic quarries.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chalk is a singular limestone widely used in historical constructions and ornamentations in North-Central Europe (Figure 1a) (Ballesteros et al, 2021;D. A.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Sourcing of chalkstone used in medieval buildings in the Eastern Duchy of Normandy (10th−14th centuries) through geological and geochemistry analyses

et al. 2022

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“…The combination between the geological data, volume of galleries, excavation geometry and tool marks allowed us to extrapolate the rate and volume of stone production. The excavation of the flinty layers and other beds, as well as other works, generated waste deposits partially used for other applications, such as rubblestone employed for walls and foundations or for lime production (Ballesteros et al, 2021). The volume and production rate of the waste deposits can be also estimated considering the volume of the underground quarry, the stone production rate and a swell (or bulking) factor.…”

Section: Quarrying Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Historical underground quarrying: A multidisciplinary research in the Caumont quarry (c. 13th–19th centuries), France

et al. 2022

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Quarries represent 'landscapes archives' as they supplied the stone required for historical buildings. Among them, the Caumont ancient quarry stands out in northern France, with its huge dimensions and its historical role, providing building stones at a regional scale since at least the Middle Ages. The present study aims to approach the quarrying methods used over time in Caumont by means of an optimized methodological approach. The designed methodology combines (1) the 3D modelling of the quarry, (2) archaeological prospection, (3) stratigraphical and microscopical study of the quarried bedrock, and (4) the geochronological approach in stalagmites precipitated inside the quarry. The studied quarry of Caumont was excavated as an open-cast quarry beginning with the escarpments along the River Seine and transformed later to an underground quarry supported by contoured bedrock pillars. The underground quarry with its 12 km of galleries shows a chambers-and-pillars pattern style excavated using two methods, producing an inferred volume of 273,529 m 3 of building stone. The U-Th dating of two stalagmites suggests that quarrying activity had begun since at least the early medieval period and agrees with the excavation techniques and historical documents.

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New protective coatings against lampenflora growing in the Pommery Champagne cellar

Franco‐Castillo

Misra

Laratte

et al. 2022

International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation

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Normandy chalkstone (France): geology and historical uses from quarries to monuments

Cited by 4 publications

References 20 publications

Sourcing of chalkstone used in medieval buildings in the Eastern Duchy of Normandy (10th−14th centuries) through geological and geochemistry analyses

Sourcing of chalkstone used in medieval buildings in the Eastern Duchy of Normandy (10th−14th centuries) through geological and geochemistry analyses

Historical underground quarrying: A multidisciplinary research in the Caumont quarry (c. 13th–19th centuries), France

New protective coatings against lampenflora growing in the Pommery Champagne cellar

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