Provenance of the Imperial Marble Group from Philippopolis (Shahba, Syria): archaeometric evidence

Fragments of three marble sculptures were discovered in the 1970s in the Roman baths of Shahba, the birthplace of emperor Philip the Arab (ad 244-249). This small village, situated in Southern Syria, was promoted by the emperor to city and colony rank under the name of Philippopolis. This short period of ‘glory’ was translated into the urban development of the town, following the Graeco-Roman model. Archaeometric investigation of marble samples of these sculptures, taken from hidden surfaces, provides evidence for two marble quarry sources: Dokimeion and Mount Pentelikon.status: publishe