The archaeometric trace of the “jaspers” of Espeja and Espejón

karimamarika654

Within the framework of the research projects mentioned in the title, since last September we have been carrying out the application of a broad analytical protocol for the characterization of the Espejón limestones and conglomerates that combines destructive and non-destructive techniques. The ultimate objective of this protocol is to obtain an archaeometric fingerprint (similar to a petrological fingerprint) that identifies and allows recognition of these ornamental materials of great historical-artistic value. Reconstructing the origin of cultural heritage materials allows us to obtain a more complete vision of the monuments and contributes to a more precise understanding of the construction process and the context in which they were carried out.

The “jaspers” of Espeja and Espejón These ornamental rocks were exploited since Roman times, as we have had the opportunity to analyze in recent years, becoming, from the Augustan period until the middle of the 5th century AD, the main Iberian colored rock used in the decoration of public and private spaces and buildings. urban and rural areas of the interior of Hispania ( Clunia, Segobriga, Termes, Confluenta, Carranque, etc.) (García-Entero 2020 with the previous bibliography). After an impasse BTC Users Number Data in its extraction during the medieval period in which this stone material was used through the reuse of Roman and late antique pieces (eg in San Miguel de Escalada, León), the exploitation of the quarries was vigorously reactivated since the end of the 15th century onwards, putting it at the service of the nobility, the clergy and the monarchy who would use it profusely ever since in their funerary monuments and in the decoration of civil and religious buildings, becoming the “jaspers” of Espeja and Espejón – as they are called since the end of the 15th century in archival documentation - into an icon to transmit messages of prestige and political legitimacy of the Austrian monarchy (Peña Cervantes, 2020; Alonso Mora, 2021 and 2022; Esgueva and Zaparaín, 2022).



An obvious example of this role given to this ornamental rock is its massive use in the main chapel and choir of the Cathedral of Toledo -Primary Cathedral of Spain-, in the chapel of San Pedro de Osma of the Cathedral of El Burgo de Osma or in the altar and presbytery of the Basilica of El Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial – initially conceived as a dynastic pantheon of the Austrians – to name just a few of the most notable examples. The starting problem of this project arises around the existence of different historical quarries, located in the current municipalities of Espejón, Espeja de San Marcelino and Cantalucia in the province of Soria. Very similar varieties were extracted from these quarries and distributed throughout the national territory. The purpose of our study is, therefore, to be able to define a solid and reliable archaeometric criterion that allows determining the exact origin of the Espeja and Espejón “jaspers” used in cultural heritage from Antiquity to the 18th century.