Structural Examination and Comparison of Marble Wares of Jiroft and those from the Shahr-I Sokhta Based on the XRF, XRD and Petrographic Analyses

Marble wares found in excavations in Jirof and Shahr-I Sokhta were analyzed by XRF and XRF and examined based on petrographic tests in order to reveal the structural differences. Samples of Jiroft are mainly yellow in color with scattered yellow veins, while those of the Shahr-I Sokhta are quite different in form and have colorful veins ranging from yellow to brown. The present study aimed mainly to examine the two mentioned marble samples structurally and to analyze them chemically. Analyses and petrographic tests revealed that although the two samples were mainly composed of calcite, they were different structurally; samples of Jiroft were structurally composed of scale calcite and those of the Shahr-I Sokhta of radial or needle-like calcite. The depth in which they were formed influences on structure as well. Moreover, the nature of metamorphism and its speed has affected on the structure of marble stones.