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Abstract

Archaeology & Anthropology: Open Access

Tell El-Hibeh Limestone: Ancient and Modern Egyptian Quarrying Technology with EDXRF Block Provenance Analysis

Submission: July 31, 2017; Published: August 16, 2017

DOI: 10.31031/AAOA.2017.01.000501

ISSN: 2577-1949
Volume1 Issue1

Abstract

Limestone and its interbedded marl deposits form an economic resource that was utilized at El-Hibeh, ancient Teudjoi/Ankyrononpolis, a tell mound in middle Egypt. The archaeological site contains the small Amun temple, at least two limestone (packstone) quarries, statues, sarcophagus lids and bases, limestone (packstone) construction blocks with and without relief, and major mudbrick structures. The temple blocks are made from a local packstone-limestone that has been saturated by Nile River water and is deteriorating at a rapid pace. The limestone at El-Hibeh is a packstone. Several packstone quarries occur in the archaeological site. One appears to be of recent vintage and was mined using modern drilling and blasting techniques. Another is an ancient quarry that utilized natural sedimentary and structural features of the packstone-marl deposits to manufacture blocks for various utilitarian purposes.

This study assessed the differences in economic activities, apparent values, and methods of production of packstone through a broad time span (Dynasty 22 to present day). We analyzed the clay content of the packstone with SEM-EDX, and studied the relationship between the clay and the accumulation of sodium chloride (salt) from the evaporation of Nile river water. While the marl clay content of the sedimentary deposits was an advantage for some modern and ancient economic enterprises, it has been a serious detriment to ancient packstone preservation. But interestingly, this apparently had not affected the value of the packstone, both for building blocks, sarcophagus production, and as a material for carving during ancient times. Further, it appears that the hib-clays and gypsum were utilized during the Roman period for manufacture of plaster. In order to assess the production methods for the ancient quarry we utilized portable EDXRF spectrometry to source the locations where the ancient blocks were acquired within the quarry by analyzing both the local unfinished blocks and the quarry walls. An assessment of the regional structural joints and joints in the ancient quarry provided an understanding of the mechanism of stone block production.

Keywords: El-Hibeh; SEM-EDX; Portable EDXRF; Limestone Geochemical; Provenance; Limestone Quarry; Salt Corrosion of Limestone; Packstone

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