Geoarchaeology, bedrock surveys, and geochemical analysis. Tracing the provenance of Medieval building stones.

Abstract

<p>This study started from the premise that information about the provenance of building materials<br />increases the understanding of construction activities and utilization of environment in the past. In<br />this study, we analyzed 163 building stones from twelve medieval cellars in Turku (Finland) with a<br />portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF) and compared the results with surveys and analysis<br />of the local bedrock. According to the study, the majority of stones were quarried near the construction<br />site. The only exceptions were limestones, which are not of local origin and could have been imported<br />from the Baltic area or collected as glacial boulders on rocky beaches in the surroundings of Turku.<br />Another major result is that stones of different kinds and from different areas were used in the same<br />buildings and rooms. This indicates non-systematic quarrying, reuse of stones and challenges related<br />to the acquisition of material despite the availability of local rocks.<br /></p>