First Assessment of Marble Exploitation in the Northwest of Spain in Ancient Times

Abstract

Marble outcrops are scarce in Galicia, the northwestern region of Spain. Nevertheless, a total of 168 marble artefacts dating from Roman times to the 13th century have been discovered in this region thus far. These pieces, often intricately carved and frequently repurposed, prompt inquiries regarding the origin of this specific type of stone. To gain a comprehensive understanding of potential local marble sources, an initial assessment of available information was conducted, followed by the examination and sampling of eight selected areas. These areas were prospected and underwent a preliminary visual evaluation to ascertain their viability as marble suppliers during the considered period, areas which are presented in this contribution. Contrary to previous assumptions, it is now evident that O Incio is not the sole plausible marble district utilised in Galicia during ancient times. Moreover, striking similarities between certain Galician marble varieties and those found in other regions of Iberia or the Pyrenees have compelled us to reassess previous attributions of provenance. As a result, this endeavour represents a significant advancement in the reconstruction of the historical map depicting exploited marble resources. While most of these quarries are currently abandoned or predominantly produce crushed aggregate rather than dimension stone, this study has unveiled a more intricate panorama than initially anticipated, particularly in relation to the Roman and medieval eras.