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Characterization and Source of Sedimentary Rocks of the Alexandria Lighthouse Archaeological Objects, Egypt

Authors:
Adel Akarish at National Research Center, Egypt
Adel Akarish
David Dessandier at French Geological Survey
David Dessandier
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Abstract

The present study was aimed to present a detailed study concerning the nature and characterization of stones constituting some of the Alexandria Lighthouse monumental objects that are made of sedimentary rocks, as well as indicating their corresponding ancient quarries. A field inspection of the objects that were salvaged from the seabed and are presently displayed or stored at different locations in Alexandria city is conducted and a series of samples from objects that are still underwater are collected and studied. Petrographic studies, XRD, XRF/ ICP-AES and δ13C and δ180 isotopes analyses were carried to characterize the different rock types in terms of their petrographic types of stone and chemical properties. The studies revealed that these archaeological objects (stone blocks, columns, part of columns, statues and obelisks) are constructed from different igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. The archeological objects made of sedimentary rocks are formed of quartzitic sandstones (orthoquartzite), greywacke (siltstone and sandstone) and limestone (lime-mudstone and sandy dolomite/dolomite sandstone). The source area of each type of stone constituting the archaeological samples is performed, including delimitation of the corresponding ancient quarries when possible. Wadi Hammamat and Gebel Ahmar quarries were the provenance areas of the greywacke and quartzitic sandstones used in the Alexandria Lighthouse objects, respectively. Moreover, results and the data derived expand the knowledge concerning Egyptian monumental stones and provide inspiration for future investigations and studies.
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