Stone in Archaeology Database

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1st January 2005 - Project Update

The 'Stone in Archaeology - Towards a Digital Resource' project has reached the end of its three year period. We do not, however, see this as an end to the project, but the beginning, as the resource will remain open to receive further information.

We wish to encourage not just academics but local interest groups and the general public to contribute information and, if possible, relevant comparative rock samples. It would be imprudent on our part to imagine that we could collect all the information possible on the subject in the course of three years. It is also hoped that this resource will encourage the user to look more closely at their local stone resources and begin to understand and identify what they see; any feedback from local investigations would be greatly appreciated.

We would like to stress that this resource is a tool with which one might begin to study stone. It is not and could never be a definitive guide to stone identification. If you are interested in establishing a firm provenance for your stone we would still recommend that you examine comparative material and have your rock scientifically investigated, whether by petrographic or chemical means. Naturally, you are welcome to consult the physical rock collection and photomicrographs at the Archaeology Department, University of Southampton, from which the information and photographs have been taken.

Future work: we will be continuing to add the lesser known English stones, and it is our intention to add the Welsh and Scottish stones in the next couple of years. We do have quite a number already in our collection but we have concentrated on the English stones during the first three years of the project for the sake of completeness. Any help, advice, corrections or sample donation would be most appreciated.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the project, I hope you enjoy the resource.

If you are interested in learning more about the project or contributing please contact:-

Email:

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