Marble trade in the Roman Mediterranean: a quantitative and diachronic study

Abstract Marble provenance studies in archaeology have become increasingly popular recent decades. This has resulted a large quantity of analytical data becoming available for archaeological marbles. article presents the results quantitative study distribution white marble Mediterranean based on an analysis Roman period. The shows increased between late 1st c. BCE and end 2nd CE. A decline from 3rd CE was less abrupt than traditionally believed object-, material-, region-specific trajectories. is finally evaluated within wider socio-economic frame, considering factors such as trade system broader economy, changes cultural practices related to statue erection, importance reuse recycling, growing ruralization, reduced interest elite urban capital investment later periods.