Homepage Timeline Maps A-Z index Learning

Stones in Ancient Egypt

some important stones

Igneous Rocks

They can be divided into plutonic and volcanic rocks. Plutonic rocks are solidified slowly underground; crystals are visible with the naked eye. Volcanic rocks are solidified quickly above ground. Crystals are too small to be visible with the naked eye.

Hornblende Diorite
Granodiorite
Granite
Basalt
UC5408 vessel found at Ballas UC 166, statue fragment, Amarna UC 49 fragment of a statue, Amarna UC 6203, basalt vessel
Andesite Porphyry
Obsidian
Tuff
UC5989, vessel found at Ballas
UC60252, obsidian scarab
UC6189

Sedimentary Rocks

These are rocks comprise of detrital rocks (rocks consisting of fragments of pre-existing rocks) and those formed by chemical precipitation. They are normally classified by grain size.

Siltstone and greywacke
Quartzite
Limestone
Sandstone
Recrystallized and Dolomite Limestone
UC16090
UC24283, Amarna shabti in quartzite
UC14307, relief fragment from Elkab
UC 16511, block from Hierakonpolis
UC 17705
Travertine/
Calcite
Alabaster
Anhydrite
Red and White Limestone Breccia
UC131
UC16915, alabaster vessel from Tarkhan
UC 16231, anhydrite vessel
no picture available

 

Metamorphic Rocks

They are formed under high heat and/or pressure from pre-existing rocks (either igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic).

Marble
Serpentine
Steatite
Meta-andesite Porphyry and Amphibolite
Mica Schist
Diorite Gneiss
UC 11535, seal from Koptos
UC 52377

 

The classification follows mainly Aston 1994.

compare: stone (some background information), geology of Egypt


 

Copyright © 2002 University College London. All rights reserved.