Geochemical characterization of “Lorraine limestones” from the SaintPaul Cathedral of Liège (Belgium): assumptions for the true provenance of the building stones
Cultural heritage; limestone; provenance; petrography; geochemistry; Rare earth elements
Abstract :
[en] We investigate the provenance of the ochre building stones called “Lorraine limestones” used for architectural specifc elements of the Saint-Paul Cathedral in Liège (Belgium) between the thirteenth and ffteenth century. A multi-analytical approach, including archives study, petrography and Rare Earth Elements geochemistry, has been performed to characterize the stones used in the church and to compare them with ochre limestones outcropping in the north-east of the Paris Basin. Our study suggests that a very restricted geographical area near the ancient port of Donchery (Ardennes, France) including Dom-le-Mesnil and Hannogne ancient quarries of Bajocian limestones (Middle Jurassic) should clearly be regarded as the potential origin location for the stones used in the Saint-Paul Cathedral.
Fronteau, Gilles; Universite de Reims Champagne-Ardenne
Boulvain, Frédéric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Pétrologie sédimentaire
Dechamps, Sylvain
Eyssautier-Chuine, Stéphanie
Piavaux, Mathieu; University of Namur > Département d'Histoire de l'Art et d'Archéologie
Yans, Johan; University of Namur > Département de Géologie
Language :
English
Title :
Geochemical characterization of “Lorraine limestones” from the SaintPaul Cathedral of Liège (Belgium): assumptions for the true provenance of the building stones
Publication date :
2018
Journal title :
Environmental Earth Sciences
ISSN :
1866-6280
eISSN :
1866-6299
Publisher :
Springer, Germany
Volume :
77
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Name of the research project :
project n°7065796
Funders :
FRFC - Fonds de la Recherche Fondamentale Collective F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique
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