Ancient white and grey marbles from Aphrodisias: multi-method characterization

The paper presents the results of the archaeometric investigation, conducted for the first time with the use of a wide range of analytical methods, on white and grey marbles exploited in the so-called City and Regional Quarries of Aphrodisias (south-western Turkey). The research, based on a multi-method approach and performed on a representative set of samples, was aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the most important properties of Aphrodisian marbles. The material studied here shows a large overlap in petrographic and geochemical features among the marbles exploited in local and regional quarries, as well as with most of the widespread marbles used in Antiquity. Surprisingly, none of the methods used here, either by themselves or used in combination, is sufficient to discriminate reliably between Aphrodisian and other marble types (mainly Paros-Lakkoi and Prokonnesos), as well as between marbles extracted from the City and Regional Quarries. The only provenance indicator is the depleted δ13C values below +0.5‰ for the grey variety from sectors AF3 and AF9, which constitute 15% of collected samples. The presumed international use of Aphrodisian marbles may be difficult to verify based on these indistinct outcomes. Another important element of the study are the topographical measurements used to estimate the volume of extracted material.Material Culture Studie

Upper Permian (Changxingian) Radiolarian Cherts within the Clastic Successions of the "Karakaya Complex" in NW Anatolia

The arkosic sandstones with olistostromes within the "Karakaya Complex" in NW Anatolia to the south of Geyve include a thin layer of green chert with radiolaria. Based on the composition of Albaillellids, the radiolarian assemblage corresponds to the Neoalbaillella ornithoformisassemblage, and its age is assigned to the Changxingian (Late Permian). This is the first finding of synsedimentary radiolarian cherts within the Karakaya units and the indication of latest Permian rifting of the Karakaya basin within the Midian carbonate platform and its pre-Permian basement in the Sakarya Composite Terrane.Published201-213ope

Upper Permian (Changxingian) Radiolarian Cherts within the Clastic Successions of the "Karakaya Complex" in NW Anatolia

The arkosic sandstones with olistostromes within the "Karakaya Complex" in NW Anatolia to the south of Geyve include a thin layer of green chert with radiolaria. Based on the composition of Albaillellids, the radiolarian assemblage corresponds to the Neoalbaillella ornithoformisassemblage, and its age is assigned to the Changxingian (Late Permian). This is the first finding of synsedimentary radiolarian cherts within the Karakaya units and the indication of latest Permian rifting of the Karakaya basin within the Midian carbonate platform and its pre-Permian basement in the Sakarya Composite Terrane

Early Paleozoic evolution of the NW Gondwanaland: data from southern Turkey and surrounding regions

The Lower Paleozoic assemblages in the E. Meditterranean comprise a Southern (Tauride-Anatolide,SE Anatolia and Central Iranian terranes) and a Northern (Carpathian-Balkan, Istanbul, Zonguldak and the Main Range terranes) Zone. A detailed stratigrapic account is given for these terranes for the Early Paleozoic and their paleogeographical settings are discussed to evaluate the Early Paleozoic geodynamic interpretation of this critical area between Gondwana-Perigondwana and Laurussia..Published315-323JCR Journalope

Early Paleozoic evolution of the NW Gondwanaland: data from southern Turkey and surrounding regions

The Lower Paleozoic assemblages in the E. Meditterranean comprise a Southern (Tauride-Anatolide,SE Anatolia and Central Iranian terranes) and a Northern (Carpathian-Balkan, Istanbul, Zonguldak and the Main Range terranes) Zone. A detailed stratigrapic account is given for these terranes for the Early Paleozoic and their paleogeographical settings are discussed to evaluate the Early Paleozoic geodynamic interpretation of this critical area between Gondwana-Perigondwana and Laurussia..Published315-323JCR Journalope

SEQUENTIAL FORMATION OF NATROLITE-GROUP ZEOLITES IN AMYGDULES OF BASALTIC LAVAS

Goncuoglu, M. Cemal/0000-0002-4216-6995WOS: 000378471700010Natrolite-group minerals were found in amygdules in Middle Eocene basaltic lavas in northern central Anatolia and have been evaluated in detail by petrographical, mineralogical, and chemical studies. A sequential formation of zeolites, which occurred in response to the interaction of the host rock with heated water, was determined by examination of the mineral assemblage. the compounds necessary for the formation of secondary minerals might have been derived from alteration of volcanic glass and Ca-rich pyroxenes in the host rock as well as from the associated marine sediments. Formation of fibrous zeolites on the walls of the amygdules began with a Na-rich zeolite, followed by a progressive increase in Ca content, and ended with a Ca-rich zeolite. the growth of natrolite as the earliest phase starts around an unidentified nucleus. It is followed by mesolite, which forms epitaxial overgrowths with natrolite. Scolecite is the last zeolite in the crystallization sequence. A continuous increase of the Si/Al ratio is observed from the earlier phase towards the later ones. the latest phase occupying the cavities within the amygdules is calcite