Building stones and geological environment in three ancient cities of Aegean Thrace,Greece

The type, use, and size of the structural stones employed in three ancient cities of the Aegean Thrace are considered Abdera, Maroneia, and Mesimbria. The impact of the geological environment on the choice of these materials also is examined. From the results obtained it is implied that despite the great variety of rocks exposed in the area, the rocks used in construction in these cities are mostly types of sandstone and limestone, rocks with moderate technical properties and easily obtained from the area. The quarries were within a radius of less than 10 km and the size distribution of the building stones in all towns is discussed.