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Source Image: PR302_02_24 of Column (1) of Aphrodisias: Agora Gate

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Description

Detail of a column shaft on the Agora Gate.

Monument
Aphrodisias: Agora Gate 
Monument Part
Column (1) 
Monument Type
Architecture 
Material(s)
Aphrodisian marble (Visual identification)  
Date
bc None 
Keywords
ClampColumn ShaftColumn Base  
Collections
Aphrodisias, Site and Museum  

Location

Original Location
Aphrodisias 

Evidence for working practices

1. Toolmarks

Process
Rough shaping
Tool
Point
Method
Angle: Steep (60-70°)
Force: Medium
Description
The upper portion of the column visible here is worked with the point chisel being used relatively roughly.

2. Toolmarks

Process
Rough shaping
Tool
Point
Method
Angle: Steep (60-70°)
Force: Gentle
Description
A finer level of point chiselling can be seen beneath this.

3. Toolmarks

Process
Fine shaping
Tool
Tooth Chisel
Method
Angle: Shallow (40-50°)
Force: Gentle
Description
The lowest portion of the shaft is worked with the tooth chisel. This is the section that needs to have been carved down to a specific size so that it would fit the base closely.

4. Pin socket

Process
Securing
Description
The hole between the shaft and the base - visible on both columns - is made by the removal of a metal pin which had been inserted to hold these shafts in place.

Notes

This is a good example of one of the ways in which a rounded column shaft was smoothed. Three stages of working of increasing fineness can be noted in this detail. Evidently this column needed to be erected so that work could proceed on the upper storeys of the gate and for some reason it was never felt important to go back and carve to the same level across all of its surface.

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