Frosterley Marble Explained

Frosterley Marble is a black, bituminous coraliferous limestone containing fossil crinoids of the Lower Carboniferous (Mississippian), some 325 million years ago.^{[1] [2]} It outcrops in Weardale, County Durham, England, including near the village of Frosterley whence it is named.

Geology

Unlike a true marble, it is not a metamorphic rock, but is so-called because it can take a fine polish. Concentrations of such corals as Dibunophyllum bipartitum and of brachiopod remains contribute to its attractiveness when sections are polished.^[3]

Use

It is cut and polished for use as ornate stone, and was much desired for church decoration, particularly during the Middle Ages.^[4] The decorative columns found in Durham Cathedral date from about 1350. It has been used as far afield as India, as the base of the pulpit in St. Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai.^{[5] [6]}

See also

• Geology of County Durham

External links

• Stone in Archaeology database

Notes and References

1. Web site: Frosterley Marble (Great Limestone, Mississippian; Rogerley Quarry, England) . University of Newcastle . 11 October 2023.
2. Durham Geodiversity Audit . Lawrence . D.J.D. . Vye . C.L. . Young . B.. Durham County Council . 2004 . 11 October 2023.
3. Stone et al 2010 British Regional Geology: Northern England (5th edition) (Keyworth, Nottingham: British Geological Survey) pp238-254
4. Web site: Frosterley Marble Font to Come to the Museum . Weardale Museum . 15 April 2020 . 11 October 2023.
5. Web site: Frosterley Marble . North Pennines AONB Partnership . 2015 . 11 October 2015.
6. Web site: North Pennines Archaeological Research Framework: Part 1. Resource Assessment . Altogether Archaeology . 2021 . 11 October 2023.