Marble quarries in Delos Island (Greece): a geological characterization

Traces of extraction in Delian marble quarries attest their exploitation during Antiquity. A preliminary non-destructive provenance study confirmed the presence indigenous Delos constructions. In contrast, have not been geochemically described so far. Therefore, a detailed (1/5000 scale) geological mapping and cross-sections were performed four order to better determine dimension estimate volume extracted marble. The surface was revised into up six times larger areas, increasing estimations. Quarries sampled studied with mineralo-petrographic (optical electronic microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction) isotopic (δ 13 C δ 18 O) characterization. Three categories observed, i.e. , coarse whitish bluish marble, fine yellowish dolomitic giant white blue calcite crystals. Maximum Grain Size associated oxygen carbon ratios showed good potential distinguish marbles from most main Mediterranean used However, geochemical elemental analyses such as trace elements analysis could supplement characterization which will benefit future studies.