Petrographical study

Nineveh

Petrographical study

The technical analyses highlighted how the local chalky alabaster that was surveyed is structurally quite inhomogeneous; it was probably chosen due to both contingent needs (it was readily available locally) and because it was especially suited to meticulous workmanship, as it is a soft and easily polished stone.

These orthostats that were originally conceived especially for the decoration of the palace’s inner halls ended up being exposed to the elements for a prolonged period of time, and therefore subjected to sudden changes in atmospheric conditions ranging from strong sunlight to percolation of water, as well as to wide thermal excursions.