Marble use and reuse at Pompeii and Herculaneum: the evidence from the bars

A comprehensive analysis of marble use and reuse at Pompeii and Herculaneum reveals the pervasiveness of the pan-Mediterranean marble trade, with over 8,000 pieces of stone documented across 57 bars or shops (thermopolia). The study highlights that these establishments, often overlooked in favor of public buildings and elite houses, provide a significant source of information about material acquisition, display techniques, and economic practices. By examining the types, quantities, and distribution of marble, researchers have traced its origins and usage patterns, shedding light on the complex economics of architectural material reuse in the Vesuvian cities.

Fant, J. C., Russell, B., & Barker, S. J. (2013). Marble use and reuse at Pompeii and Herculaneum: the evidence from the bars. Papers of the British School at Rome, 81, 181–209. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0068246213000081