How can white marble provenance studies change our perception of the stone trade in the Roman Empire: analysing inland Thrace, a terra incognita

Provenance studies of ancient white marble provide essential insights into the economic, cultural, and technological dimensions of the Roman Empire. By identifying the geological and geographical origins of marble, such studies illuminate production patterns, trade dynamics, and elite consumption practices across regions. Archaeometric approaches-especially petrography, geochemistry, and isotopic analysis-have become indispensable in this context, particularly when direct quarry evidence is absent. These methods bridge the gap between material science and archaeology, enabling a deeper understanding of how marble circulated, how it was selected, and how it was valued. Despite significant advances in the Western provinces and Asia Minor, the Balkans-and especially Roman Thrace-remain a <i>terra incognita</i> in marble provenance research. This study addresses this gap by investigating the production and distribution of white marble in Thracian cities, villas, and sanctuaries, using a combined archaeological and archaeometrical approach. The findings contribute to reconstructing local quarry exploitation, regional exchange systems, and the integration of Thrace into broader imperial markets. Through this case, the study highlights the significance of marble as both an economic resource and a cultural marker, revising current models of the Roman stone trade in the Eastern Mediterranean.