Abstract:

Calcite alabaster was highly valued by the Romans, but the trade, origin, quarries and distribution of this stone in the Roman period have been overlooked. The study and documentation of in situ examples of alabaster form a vital part in correcting this gap in our knowledge. The Alabaster Quarrying and Trade in the Roman World Project has examined the in situ alabaster, real and painted, at Pompeii and Herculaneum in order to determine the varieties employed at each city and changes in use from the second century BC to the first century AD. The paper presents the results of the survey undertaken in three seasons (2014-2016) by our project, whose ultimate aim is to build a database of datable examples of alabaster and sources in order to fully understand its quarrying, distribution, use and importance in the Roman world.