New evidence of the supra-regional marble trade network in Thrace, through the archaeometric study of sculptures in Roman Philippopolis

Abstract

The current assessment of marble sources in the Mediterranean, drawing from prior publications, reveals notable disparities in the distribution of raw materials across the region. Specifically, data on marble sources in the Balkans, including the Roman province of Thrace, are notably underrepresented, stressing the need for a more comprehensive analysis. Marble provenance studies contribute to a better understanding of the economy and the societal structure of the area and may serve as a model for other larger-scale research of local quarries and ancient sites, as well as the connections and the long-distance trade and sub-regional/regional marble markets. The case study of Philippopolis (mod. Plovdiv, Bulgaria) projects the phenomenon of ‘localism’ by prioritising the local raw material, the local production and consumption of goods. However, on certain occasions, the province kept its connectivity with large marble producers of the Eastern Mediterranean, such as Prokonnesos, Aphrodisias, Penteli, etc., for specific artefacts (e.g., sculptures). Employing a diverse array of methodologies, including stable isotope analysis (C13 and O18), multi-trace element analysis through ICP-MS, and petrography, enables the identification of the provenance of these samples. This study entails a deeper exploration of the relationship between producers and resources, as well as the historical evolution of marble consumption patterns in the area. Within this context, a crucial endeavour involves unravelling the mechanisms that shaped and drove the marble trade network within the confines of this Roman provincial territory.