Source Image: PR115_01_01 of Cava di Cusa Quarries

· · · · ·

Increase Brightness Increase Contrast

Monochrome Sharpen

View Options Hide Annotations

Description

View of the Cava di Cusa quarries near Selinunte on Sicily.

Monument: Cava di Cusa Quarries
Monument Type: Quarry
Material(s): Limestone (Visual identification)
Date: circa bc 600 - circa bc 400
Keywords: Roughed-out Object
Collections: Cava di Cusa

Location

Original Location: Selinunte

Evidence for working practices

1. Toolmarks

Process: Roughing-out
Tool: Point
Method: Angle: Vertical (90°)
Force: Hard
Description: These large column drums were shaped in the quarry before they were split from the rock-face along their bases. The channels carved around these drums were not wide enough for the quarrymen to use quarry picks and so were presumably cut out with point chisels.

Notes

The Cava di Cusa quarries are some of the best preserved Classical period quarries. Located close to the Greek city of Selinus on Sicily they were the source of materials for the large extra-mural temples at the site. The drums abandoned in them seem to have been intended for Temple G at the city which was never finished.

Videos

Related Images

No images in current category.