Racconti di pietre. L’applicazione di metodi archeometrici portatili allo studio dei paesaggi

Provenance studies on stone artefacts can supply important information to map the displacement of geological resources and outline the evolution of quarrying sites. Therefore, the integration of portable instruments for the in situ geochemical characterization of archaeological materials represents an important novelty for the comprehension of past landscapes. The use of chemical analytical methods has shown to be crucial to identify raw material sources and reconstruct the network of stone supply. The application of Near-Infrared (NIR) imaging and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) allows the classification of stone types, that can be matched to the quarry of provenience. This contribution draws upon a case study: a collaborative project that aims at mapping and characterizing both building materials used in the walls of the citadel of Carcassonne (Aude, France) and their quarries.