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Sandstone

This is a sedimentary rock and consists mainly of sand-size grains of detrital rock and mineral fragments. They are held together by quartz, calcite, iron oxide, clay or other elements. Sandstone is occasionally used for building before the Middle Kingdom (about 2025-1700 BC). The first large-scale monument in sandstone (alongside with limestone) is the mortuary temple of king Nebhetepre Mentuhotep II (2046-1995 BC) at Deir el-Bahari. The material became very common in the New Kingdom (about 1550-1069 BC) and later as building material for temples in southern Upper Egypt.

examples
uc 15923, sandstone grinder UC 16511, block from Hierakonpolis UC 16821, sandstone block from Ptolemaic temple

 

Aston/Harrell/Shaw 2000: 54-56

 


 

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