Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks - The Changing Earth: Exploring Geology and Evolution - page 179

Geo-inSight The Many Uses of Marble

Marble is a remarkable stone that has a variety of uses.
Formed from limestone or dolostone by the metamorphic
processes of heat and pressure, marble comes in a variety of
colors and textures.
Marble has been used by sculptors and architects for
many centuries in statuary, monuments, as a facing and main
stone in buildings and structures, as well as for floor tiling
and other ornamental and structural uses. Ground marble
can also be found in toothpaste and as a source of lime in
agricultural fertilizers.

1. Aphrodite of Melos , also known as Venus de Milo, is one of
the most recognizable works of art in the world. Dated at around
150 B.C. , Venus de Milo was created by an unknown artist during
the Hellenistic period and carved from the world-famous Parian
marble from Paros in the Cyclades. Today Venus de Milo attracts
thousands of visitors per year to the Louvre Museum in Paris,
where she can be viewed and appreciated.

2. Marble has been used
extensively as a building stone
through the ages and throughout
the world. For example, the Greek
Parthenon was constructed of
white Pentelic marble from
Mt. Pentelicus in Attica.

3. The Taj Mahal in India is
constructed mostly of Makrana
marble quarried from hills just
southwest of Jaipur in Rajasthan. In
addition to its main use as a
building material, marble was used
throughout the structure in art
works and intricately carved marble
flowers (right). All in all, it took
more than 20,000 workers 17
years to build the Taj Mahal from
A.D. 1631 to 1648.

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