摘要：During the archaeological excavation of the Roman military fortress Heténypuszta (SW Hungary) 860 marble
fragments were found, used in a secondary manner for the construction of the Late Roman fortress.
Heténypuszta used to belong to the province Pannonia Valeria. The marble fragments originated most probably
from memorial stones of a heathen cemetery. The fragments are now in the collection of the Hungarian National
Museum. This study is the first large-scale effort for the determination of the origin of marble of Roman period
from the territory of Hungary. More than 80 samples from several Austrian, Slovenian, Romanian and
Macedonian marble quarries, crystalline limestone of marble-like quality from Hungary (Polgárdi Limestone)
and so far 18 samples from archaeological objects were investigated. Besides of the archaeological and
historical approaches, more and more scientific methods have been developed to analyse various types of
historical artefacts. In order to determine the origin, mineral composition (by petrographical thin section and
X-ray diffraction), stable isotope geochemical analysis (δ
13
C and δ
18
O), trace element analysis (AAS),
cathodoluminescence methods and quantitative textural analysis were applied.
Two groups of archaeological objects were distinguishable based on their petrographical properties, trace
element amounts and stable isotope compositions. One of them belongs probably to the marble quarries
Puppitsch/Kraig or Tiffen in Austria/Carinthia. The second group seems to be derived from the Gummern,
Sekull, Tiffen, Treffen group (Austria/Carithia), but some overlapping occurs with Polgárdi (Hungary) and
Slovenska Bistrica (Slovenia). The provenance analysis makes possible some implications on ancient trade
relations, as well as political and economical background of the construction activity. The quality of the applied
material of archaeological objects gives us information about the economical and social situation of the
population. The framework of the project was supplied by the bilateral scientific collaboration project DAAD
and MÖB.
