The 'petrographic-polychrome style' and the symbolic meaning of white stones in Hafit grave architecture (poster)

Abstract

Many examples of tomb monuments are also 'man-made geotopes', as they comprise a variety of stones from different geological deposits that may be of significance to the territory exploited by communities. Moreover, the symbolized meaning of particular stones, e.g. calcareous sinter, magnesite, and travertine, seems to be the expression of a comprehensive knowledge of metamorphic processes inherent in the formation of certain stones and minerals. As members of Hafit communities practised metallurgy, looking for copper deposits and having knowledge of the smelting process for it, they must have had a keen sense in their observations of nature.