The exploitation of emery on the island of Samos: Existing data and research perspectives

Stamatakis M., Malegiannaki I.

Coastal Landscapes, Mining Activities & Preservation of Cultural Heritage

17-20 September 2014, Milos Island

Aims of the study

Presentation of existing geological and historical data concerning the Samian emery

Presentation of SEM-EDS, XRF and ICP analysis of Samian emery

An initial investigation of a possible exploitation of Samos emery deposits during the antiquity

Presentation of the few known archaeological findings that may indicate a probable ancient exploitation of the Samos mineral

Emery: definition and terminology issues

Emery is a metamorphic rock which developed through the process of metamorphism of bauxites

Photo from the Geological Museum of Apeiranthos, Naxos

Emery: definition and terminology issues Metabauxites are classified into two general

categories: metabauxites rich in diaspore (AlO(OH))

(diasporites) metabauxites rich in corundum (Αl2Ο3)

(corundites) The term “emery”, in its more strict definition,

is used for the description of corundites, but in a wider sense, it includes also diasporites. This wider use of the term will be followed in this presentation

Uses of emery

Certified use of emery in the Eastern Mediterranean at least since the 5th millennium B.C. in lapidary and metalworking: cutting, piercing and polishing of stones, metals and

other materials Forms of use:

Raw material Polished tools Powder (Boleti 2006)

Emery is used until today mainly as an abrasive, for the smoothing of surfaces, in sand blast and as an anti-slipping material for the construction of roads

Metabauxitic deposits in the Aegean archipelago

Feenstra 1985

Metabauxitic deposits on the island of Samos

Mposkos 1986

Mikri Lakka

Kallithea

Metabauxitic deposits on the island of Naxos (Feenstra 1985)

Western Samos emery deposits

They contain corundum together with primary diaspore and chloritoid

While in the eastern Samos diasporites, rutile is the main titanium carrier, in western Samos emery it is ilmenite

While the eastern Samos diasporites are characterized by their schistosity, the western Samos emery presents schistosity only rarely (Mposkos 1978, 1986; Mposkos & Perdikatzis 1981)

Mineralogically, the western Samos emery can be compared with the metabauxites in the diaspore-corundum transition zone of Naxos (Zone II & III)

Eastern Samos emery deposits

Metabauxites of Mikri Lakka form lenses enclosed in calcareous rocks

Mineralogy of eastern Samos emery (Lapparent 1937, Mposkos 1986) Mikri Lakka:

chloritoid-bearing diasporites characteristic pisolitic microstructure they can be compared with the metabauxites

of Southeastern Naxos (zone I) Characteristics:

bluish gray to brownish gray or variegated color

fine grained composition with smooth fracture. It produces prismatic blade-like fragments

Mikri Lakka diasporites

Mikri Lakka diasporites

Mineralogy of eastern Samos emery

Chip samples examined with SEM_EDS techniques in UoA, Department of Geology & Geoenvironment.

Major mineral is diaspore, followed by hematite and muscovite. Corundum is present in a few samples, in traces

additional specific features: presence of titanium-rich hematite disseminated crystals of monazite relatively high Th and REE content [La, Ce, Nd]

SEM microphotograph of Mikri Lakka diasporites

Titanium-rich hematite subhedral crystals [light gray] disseminated in platy diaspore subhedral crystal aggregates [dark gray]

SEM microphotograph of Mikri Lakka diasporites

Ce-Monazite [bright white] isolated micro crystal hosted in a titanium-rich hematite [light gray] and diaspore [dark gray] groundmass

Microprobe analysis of Samos emery

Ti-richhematite Diaspore Muscovite Ce-monazite

Fe2O3 81.86 - 84.57

Al2O3 61.45- 70.54

Al2O3 33.12 - 34.56

Al2O3 4.67

TiO2 5.33 - 5.50

SiO2 1.91 – 2.21

SiO2 44.52 - 46.24

P2O5 19.84

Al2O3 0.74 - 0.77

Fe2O3 1.48 - 3.36

Na2O 0.41 – 0.91

CaO 0.47

TiO2 0.33 - 0.68

K2O 8.68 – 9.27

LaLa22OO3 3 12.50 12.50

CeOCeO22 26.11 26.11

NdNd22OO3 3 7.23 7.23

XRF and ICP analysis

Major elements were analysed in TITAN SA cement, in Kamari Viotia Plant. XRF major element analysis was performed in 4 samples, whereas ICP analysis was performed in the same samples for trace element analysis

The main characteristic of the samples is the predominance of alumina, in percentages ranging between 50-70%. Iron was ranging in percentages of 10-26% and Titanium of 2.5-2.7%

The exploitation of Samian emery: historical data (Belavilas & Papastefanaki 2009)

Although Samian emery is a common reference in travellers of the 18th, 19th century (Fenning, Tournefort e.g.), efforts to exploit the mineral, are historically confirmed (so far) only during the period of the Samian hegemony (1834-1912)

Ep. Stamatiadis informs us about emery mining on the mountain Kerkis, during the years 1847-49 and 1860-1. (Stamatiadis, 1965)

Mikri Lakka: 5.000 tons of mineral were extracted and exported abroad, during the years 1906-1914

Mikri Lakka mines

Mikri Lakka mines

Mikri Lakka emery was characterised as emery of inferior quality and was sold for 25 drachmas/ton (Naxian emery price: 80-115 drachmas/ton)

The exploitation of emery through the ages, based on the Naxian case The exploitation of Naxian emery (mostly

diasporitic at the beginning) and its export trade can be traced back to the Neolithic time (5th m. B.C.)

3rd m. B.C.: emery tools used for the production of the protocycladic statuettes

Certified exploitation by the Geometric oligarchy of the island

Emery used as an abrasive seems to have contributed to new trends in archaic sculpture

The exploitation of emery through the ages, based on the Naxian case Exploitation during the classic and Hellenistic

time is confirmed by ancient authors («ναξία ακόνη»)

Pliny the Elder (1st c. AD) mentions the use of emery (“naxium”) powder in combination with a saw, and the long standing use of naxium for polishing marble statues, cutting and polishing precious stones

The medical uses of emery mentioned by authors of the roman era are impressive

The exploitation of emery through the ages, based on the Naxian case During the Frankish domination, the mineral

and its mining right belonged to the feudal lord of the area

During the Turkish domination, the mining right, became a privilege of the poor orthodox peasants

In the 19th c., emery became property of the Greek State, and emery mining is still an exclusive privilege of the villagers of the Municipality of Apeiranthos and Koronos

Is an ancient exploitation of Samian emery possible? Naxos is the main emery source in the Archipelago

because of: The large quantities of emery the high corundum content (makes the mineral a

precious product during the industrial era) Samos emery was characterized as of second quality

because of the lack of corundum But the evaluation criteria change through the ages metabauxites rich in diaspore were the first to be

exploited and seem to have played a significant role during the prehistory

Is it possible that Samos diasporites were also exploited during ancient times, for local or more extensive use?

Uses of metabauxites during the Neolithic and Bronze Age (Boleti 2006, 2009)

In order to cope with the above problem, one needs to take into account the uses of metabauxites during the antiquity and the properties that served each need

Metabauxites rich in corundum: due to their great hardness, were used for the construction of millstones and percussive tools used for working with hard materials. In the form of powder/sand they were used for cutting, drilling and polishing

Diasporites: can easier break into smooth blade like surfaces. They were used for the construction of sharp tools that worked with less hard materials (axes, adzes and chisels)

Uses of metabauxites during the antiquity (Boleti 2006, 2009) Diasporitic polished tools: utilitarian but probably also

precious objects, constituting a common cultural element between prehistoric Cyclades and Anatolia

Consequently, it is reasonable to think that the Samians had also taken advantage of the precious deposits existing on their island, a geographical bridge between Cyclades and Anatolia

The above can be examined in correlation with the expansion model for colonization of the Cyclades from the south-east Aegean, during the LN & FN (Broodbank 1999,2000)

More data that can support an ancient exploitation of Samos diasporites The big number of ancient quarries on the

island. A use of diasporite for smoothing soft rocks (limestone, marbles, schists) is possible

The school of sculpture that made its appearance in the 7th c. B.C. Same as on Naxos here appears a special technique for the creation of drapery striations, connected by St. Casson with the use of emery tools

Gemology exercised in Samos of the Polycrates era and traditionally connected with the famous architect Theodorus

Findings possibly connected to an ancient Samian emery exploitation

Diasporitic tools exhibited at the new Archaeological Museum of Pythagoreion.

Findings possibly connected to an ancient Samian emery exploitation

A round-faced object from the protopalatial palace of Malia in Crete. The pegrographic analysis of IGME, proposed Samos as a possible provenance (Pelon 1983).

Findings possibly connected to an ancient Samian emery exploitation Numerous splinters (probably used for the

production of burnished pottery) from the Neolithic Tigani. Robert Heidenreich characterizes them as made of hematite

Questioning about a possible byzantine Samian emery exploitation 1983: a Byzantine hoard containing 300 Byzantine

coins (Maurice to Heraclius era) was incidentally found in Megali Lakka

Megali Lakka exploration (Caramessini-Oeconomides & Drossoyianni 1989) revealed byzantine graves, a building complex with semi submerged foundations, metallic objects and sherds dating from the Roman to the Byzantine era

Many scraps of emery are also mentioned. Were they extracted recently or are in some way connected to the Byzantine findings?

A detailed study of the submerged building complex in Megali Lakka is needed so that its character and a possible connection to the nearby emery deposits is clarified

Conclusion Despite the characterization of the Samian diasporite

as emery of “second quality”, historical and archaeological data indicate an extensive use of diasporite since the 5th m. B.C.

The known archaeological findings are completely insufficient to draw conclusions about an ancient exploitation of Samian emery

Further investigation of the unpublished material is needed in order to certify whether the scant archaeological material is due to limited occurences and/or misidentification of this prime material

Further field research in the area of Mikri Lakka could possibly shed light on ancient emery mining in Samos in correlation with data coming from other areas of the Aegean area and Anatolia

References Belavilas, Ν. & Papastefanaki, L. (Eds.) (2009). Ορυχεία στο Αιγαίο. Βιομηχανική

Αρχαιολογία στην Ελλάδα. Μέλισσα, Αθήνα. Boleti, A. (2006). The use of emery in the Bronze Age Aegean and eastern Mediterranean:

methodological approaches and preliminary results. In: 2nd International Conference on Ancient Greek Technology Athens, 17-21 Οctobre 2005, p. 276-283.

Boleti, A. (2009). L' exploitation de l'émeri en Égée et en Méditerranée Orientale à l'Âge du bronze. Phd Thesis, Université de Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris.

Caramessini-Oeconomides, M. and Drossoyianni, Ph. (1989). A hoard of Byzantine gold coins from Samos. Revue numismatique, 6e série, Tome 31, p. 145-182.

Feenstra, A. (1985). Metamorphism of bauxites on Naxos, Greece. Geologica Ulraiectina, 39.

Urai J. L. & Feenstra A. (2001). Weakening associated with the diaspore – corundum dehydration reaction in metabauxites: an example from Naxos (Greece). Journal of Structural Geology 23, p. 941-950.

Heidenreich, R. (1935–36). Vorgeschichtliches in der Stadt Samos. Die Funde. AM, 60-61, p. 125-183.

Lapparent, J. de (1937). L'emeri de Samos. Miner. Petrogr. Mitteil. (Tschermaks), 49, p. 1 -30.

Mposkos, E. & Perdikatzis, V. (1981). Die Paragonit-Chloritoid fuhrenden schiefer des sudwestlichen bereiches des Kerkis auf Samos (Griechenland). N. Jb. Miner. Abh., 142, p. 292-308.

Mposkos, E. (1986). Το μεταμορφωμένο υπόβαθρο της Σάμου. Στοιχεία που καθορίζουν τον τύπο και το βαθμό της μεταμόρφωσης. Δελτίο Ελληνικής Γεωλογικής Εταιρείας, 18, p. 223-236.

Pelon, O. (1983). L'épée à l'acrobate et la chronologie maliote (II). BCH, 107, livraison 2, p. 679-703.

Acknowledgements

The present research has been partly funded by the Special Research Account of the UoA

We would like to thank: Dr. Athina Boleti (Universite Paris I) Mrs Johanna Fuchs (German Archaeological

Institute at Athens) Mrs Ilektra Kotopoulou (UOA) Dr. Eleni Tzilingaki

Thank you for your attention!!!