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Calcare di Aurisina

The Calcare di Aurisina (Also know as Aurisina Formation, “Formazione di Monrupino”, Trieste Karst Limestone formation, “Repen formation”, “Sežana formation” and “Lipiza formation”)[1][2][3] is a Mesozoic geologic formation in Italy and Slovenia.[3] This limestones are found in the Trieste area and are of Late Cretaceous (Santonian-Campanian) age, being a local record of Carbonate platform limestones, historically quarried by cutting large blocks using steel wire, what has allowed more acess to them, as numerous quarries allow excellent exposure.[3][4] Due to being cut into large blocks and slabs, that usually end stored near the quarries, detailed, three-dimensional study of the rock's composition and fossils can be easily done.[5][6]

Calcari di Aurisina
Stratigraphic range: Santonian-Campanian
~84–70.6 Ma
Aurisina quarries being exploited
TypeGeological formation
Sub-unitsZolla member
AreaFriuli-Venezia Giulia
Lithology
PrimaryLimestone
Location
Coordinates45°48′N 13°36′E / 45.8°N 13.6°E / 45.8; 13.6
Approximate paleocoordinates23°30′N 16°12′E / 23.5°N 16.2°E / 23.5; 16.2
RegionTrieste
Country
Type section
Named forAurisina
Calcare di Aurisina is located in Italy
Calcare di Aurisina
Calcare di Aurisina (Italy)

Characteristics

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Detail of the Aurisina Limestone

The Aurisina limestone has usually a light grey background, sometimes appearing hazelnut in color. It is known for its high purity, compactness, and uniformity. The quarries where it is extracted consist of thick, solid layers of stone. Different varieties of Aurisina marble are distinguished by shades of grey and the distribution, size, and orientation of the organic remains within the stone. Well-known varieties include Aurisina Fiorita, Aurisina Lumachella, Aurisina Chiara, and Roman Stone, among others.[3][7][8]

Aurisina marble's chemical composition and physical properties make it ideal for use in architecture, both for structural and decorative purposes, as well as in statues and monuments. The stone is valued for its durability and aesthetic appeal in various applications.[3][7][9]


Historical Importance

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Mausoleum of Theodoric, that was built using Aurisina Limestone

The Aurisina Limestone has been used since the Roman Republic. Evidence from ancient monuments in Aquileia, a Roman colony founded in 181 BC, suggests that quarrying began in the 1st century BC and continued until the 5th century AD. The stone was widely used in Aquileia for architectural elements, statues, and funerary monuments.[10][11] The nearby city of Tergeste (modern Trieste) also made extensive use of Aurisina Limestone for public buildings and sculptures. Its use spread across northern Italy, with artifacts found as far as Pavia.[10][9]

In the post-Roman period, Aurisina marble was notably used in the Mausoleum of Theodoric in Ravenna, built around 520 AD. However, its use declined during the medieval and Baroque periods. In Venice, it was replaced by Istrian stone, but in Trieste, it saw a revival in the 18th century as the city grew following the establishment of the free port by Emperor Charles VI. Notable examples of its use in Trieste include Palazzo Pitteri (1780), the Stock Exchange (1802), and the renovation of the Greek Orthodox Church of San Nicolò dei Greci (1819).[9][12]

Aurisina Limestone's "golden age" came under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, particularly after the completion of the Southern Railway, connecting Trieste to Vienna. The stone was used in major projects throughout the empire, including the Parliament and Hofburg in Vienna, the State Opera in Budapest, and many buildings in cities like Graz, Munich, and Ljubljana. By 1890, the industry employed over 3,000 workers.[9]

After Trieste's annexation to Italy in 1918, Aurisina Limestone was used in large-scale projects like the Military Shrine of Redipuglia and Milan's Central Station, where 38,000 tons were utilized. During this period, the marble also reached international markets, being used in Egypt and the United States.[9]

In the post-war era, Aurisina Limestone continued to be popular in foreign markets, with notable projects including the Atlanta subway in the U.S., Berlin airport, and La Défense in Paris. In 1989, it was used for Milan Metro's Line 3. More recently, it has featured in prestigious architectural projects, such as Milan's Citylife Shopping District designed by Zaha Hadid and Turin's Lavazza headquarters. Internationally, it is used in projects across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the U.S.[3][13]

Paleoenvironment

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The formation is characterized by lagoonal facies with episodes of higher energy and rare bivalve patch reefs, such as Chondrodonta and Rudists, which are found throughout the entire unit. The lower section, referred to as the "Zolla member" consists of bivalve-rich limestone, including rudists and Chondrodonta, as well as foraminiferal limestone, often interbedded with dolomitized dark wackestones. In the upper part of this member, pelagic limestone with Pythonella fossils is present.[14][15] The main body of the Aurisina Limestone is characterized by peritidal carbonates, with some dark laminated facies, dominated by rudists, benthic foraminifera, cyanobacteria (Decastronema), and algae (Thaumatoporella).[16][17] The Paleoenvironment of this unit is accepted to be a succesion of emerged and shallow marine carbonate platform settings, including inner lagoons, high-energy shoals, tidal channels, and rudist accumulations[14][18] The complex dolomitization and silicification in the region may be linked to a Monsoon climate with alternating wet and dry periods. Comparable dolomitization occurs across the Adriatic Platform, particularly in the Middle-Lower Cenomanian.[19]

Biota

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Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Bivalves

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Genus Species Location Material Description Images
Biradiolites[20][21]
  • B. zucchii
  • B. fissicostatus
  • B. rotundatus
  • B. sp.
  • Cava Romana
  • Nanos Mountain
 Isolated Shells Rudist of the family Radiolitidae
Bournonia[20][21]
  • B. excavata
  • B. spp.
  • Cava Romana
  • Nanos Mountain
 Isolated Shells Rudist of the family Radiolitidae
Chondrodonta[22][23]
  • C. joannae
  • C. munsoni
  • Malchina
  • Visogliano
  • Hrusica
  • Nanos Mts
 Isolated Shells Scallop of the family Chondrodontidae
Durania[23]
  • D. acuticostata
  • Visogliano
 Isolated Shells Rudist of the family Radiolitidae
Gorjanovicia[20][21]
  • G. lipparinii
  • G. sp.
  • Cava Romana
  • Nanos Mountain
 Isolated Shells Rudist of the family Radiolitidae
Hippurites[20]
  • H. nabresinensis
  • Cava Romana
 Isolated Shells Rudist of the family Hippuritidae
 
Hippurites specimen
Katzeria[20][21]
  • K. hercegovinaensis
  • K. sp.
  • Cava Romana
 Isolated Shells Rudist of the family Radiolitidae
Medeella[23]
  • M. zignana
  • Nanos Mountain
 Isolated Shells Rudist of the family Radiolitidae
Neithea[23]
  • N. fleuriausiana
  • N. spp.
  • Visogliano
  • Hrusica
  • Nanos Mts
 Isolated Shells Scallop of the family Neitheoidae
 
Neithea specimen
Praeradiolites[23]
  • P. acutilamellosus
  • P. (cf. Praeradiolites) fleuriausus
  • Visogliano
 Isolated Shells Rudist of the family Radiolitidae
Rajka[20]
  • R. sp.
  • Cava Romana
 Isolated Shells Rudist of the family Radiolitidae
Radiolites[23]
  • R. carsicus
  • R. peroni
  • R. spp.
  • Visogliano
  • Cava Romana
 Isolated Shells Rudist of the family Radiolitidae
 
Radiolites specimen
Radiolitella[21]
  • R. forojuliensis
  • Nanos Mountain
 Isolated Shells Rudist of the family Radiolitidae
Sauvagesia[23]
  • S. sharpei
  • Visogliano
 Isolated Shells Rudist of the family Radiolitidae
Vaccinites[21]
  • V. braciensis
  • V. oppeli
  • V. archiaci
  • V. vredenburgi
  • V. sulcatus
  • Cava Romana
  • Nanos Mountain
 Isolated Shells Rudist of the family Hippuritidae

Crustaceans

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Genus Species Location Material Description Images
Caridea[24][25] Indeterminate
  • Villaggio del Pescatore
  • Polazzo
 Multiple specimens Shrimps

Fish

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Genus Species Location Material Description Images
Anguilliformes[25] Indeterminate Polazzo Single complete specimen This would be the oldest anguilliform found in Italy
Cypriniformes?[25] Indeterminate Polazzo Several small complete and incomplete specimens This determination still needs to be confirmed
Enchodus[25] Indeterminate Polazzo Several small complete and incomplete specimens A member of Enchodontidae
 
Reconstruction of Enchodus
Holocentridae[25] Indeterminate Polazzo Several small complete and incomplete specimens Represented mostly by small-sized specimens
Parachanos[25] P. ssp. Polazzo Several isolated and articulated remains A meber of Chanidae. The attribution to this genus is dubious
Pycnodontiformes[25] Indeterminate Polazzo Multiple complete specimens and isolated teeth Some specimens have been referred to the genus Coelodus
 
Coelodus specimen
Rhynchodercetis[25] R. acutissimus Polazzo Multiple specimens, complete and incomplete A meber of Dercetidae. The most abundant genus at Polazzo
 
Rhynchodercetis specimen
Sloveniantriacanthus[26] S. saksi Šepulje, east of Tomaj PMS, VS-001, single specimen A meber of Cretatriacanthidae
Teleost indet.[25] Indeterminate
  • Villaggio del Pescatore
  • Polazzo
 Multiple specimens, complete and incomplete, as well isolated teeth and scales

Crocodiles

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Genus Species Location Material Description Images
Acynodon[27][28] A.adriaticus Villaggio del Pescatore MCNST 57248, A partial skeleton in anatomical connection.

Multiple referred specimens: MCNST 57032, MCSNT 57031, MCSNT 57245, MCSNT 21.S239, MCSNT 21.S239

A small Durophagous crocodrylomorph
 
Acynodon skull
Crocodylia[28] Indeterminate Villaggio del Pescatore MCSNT 57033, possibly a rib; MCSNT 57035, mandibular symphysis; MCSNT 57036, anteroposteriorly long vertebra; MCSNT 57037, fragmented ventral osteodermal surface.

Pterosaurs

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Genus Species Location Material Description Images
Pterosauria[1][27] Indeterminate Villaggio del Pescatore Specimen number 13450, an alar metacarpal.

Dinosaurs

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Genus Species Location Material Description Image
Coelurosauria[29] Indeterminate Križ, southwest of Tomaj N° BJ 1742 - feather Referral not confirmed
Tethyshadros[30] T.insularis Villaggio del Pescatore Two nearly complete skeletons, a pair of front legs, a left pubis, a cervical vertebra with a still articulated right cervical rib, a complete but highly deformed skull, a series of caudal vertebrae and isolated dorsal rib. A small hadrosauromorph dinosaur
 
"Antonio" specimen of Tethyshadros
Theropoda indet.[31] Indeterminate Villaggio del Pescatore SC 57030, "arctometatarsalian metatarsal"; Another specimen may represent an epiphysis of a long bone, perhaps of a femur.

Flora

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Palynology of the Villaggio del Pescatore section has been studied, dominated by a few gymnosperms and several angiospermous pollen types.[1]

Genus Species Location Material Description Images
Brachyphyllum[25] B. spp. Polazzo Isolated Branched Shoots Conifer shots related with Araucariaceae or Hirmeriellaceae.
 
Brachyphyllum specimen
Cunninghamites[25] C. cf. elegans Polazzo Isolated Branched Shoots Conifer shots related with Cupressaceae
Dicotyledoneae[25] Indeterminate Polazzo Isolated Leaves
Frenelopsis[1][25] F. ssp.
  • Villaggio del Pescatore
  • Polazzo
 Isolated Branched Shoots A Conifer, member of Hirmeriellaceae. The msot abundant foliar remain locally
Ginkgoales?[25] Indeterminate Polazzo Isolated Leaves
Pagiophyllum[25] P. ssp. Polazzo Isolated Branched Shoots Conifer shots related with Araucariaceae or Hirmeriellaceae.
Pinophyta[32] Indeterminate Villaggio del Pescatore Isolated Branched Shoots
Sphenolepis[25] cf.S. spp. Polazzo Isolated Cones Conifer cones related with Cupressaceae
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  •  
    Aurisina Roman Mine
  •  
    Aurisina Fiorita
  •  
    Polished Aurisina Fiorita

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ a b c d Consorti, Lorenzo; Arbulla, Deborah; Bonini, Lorenzo; Fabbi, Simone; Fanti, Federico; Franceschi, Marco; Frijia, Gianluca; Pini, Gian Andrea (2021). "The Mesozoic palaeoenvironmental richness of the Trieste Karst". Geological Field Trips. 13 (2.2): 1–40. doi:10.3301/gft.2021.06. ISSN 2038-4947.
  2. ^ Cucchi, Franco; Forti, Fabio; Finocchiaro, Furio (1987). "Carbonate surface solution in the classical karst". International Journal of Speleology. 16 (3/4): 125–138. doi:10.5038/1827-806x.16.3.6. ISSN 0392-6672.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Jurkovšek, Bogdan; Biolchi, Sara; Furlani, Stefano; Kolar-Jurkovšek, Tea; Zini, Luca; Jež, Jernej; Tunis, Giorgio; Bavec, Miloš; Cucchi, Franco (2016-08-12). "Geology of the Classical Karst Region (SW Slovenia–NE Italy)". Journal of Maps. 12 (sup1): 352–362. Bibcode:2016JMaps..12S.352J. doi:10.1080/17445647.2016.1215941. ISSN 1744-5647.
  4. ^ Sanders, D (2001). "Burrow-mediated carbonate dissolution in rudist biostromes (Aurisina, Italy): implications for taphonomy in tropical, shallow subtidal carbonate environments". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 168 (1–2): 39–74. Bibcode:2001PPP...168...39S. doi:10.1016/s0031-0182(00)00249-2. ISSN 0031-0182.
  5. ^ Castracane degli Antelminelli, Francesco (1886). Analisi microscopica di un Calcare del Territorio di Spoleto. Roma: Tipografia delle scienze matematiche e fisiche. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.64225.
  6. ^ Venturini, S.; Tentor, M. (2010). "La Breccia di Slivia: Una testimonianza di eventi paleotettonici campaniano-maastrichtiani nel Carso Triestino" (PDF). Natura Nascosta. 41 (6): 1–15.
  7. ^ a b Cancian, Graziano; Princivalle, Francesco (1989). "Caratteristiche mineralogiche delle grotte del Carso Triestino". International Journal of Speleology. 18 (3/4): 111–115. doi:10.5038/1827-806x.18.3.3. ISSN 0392-6672.
  8. ^ Martinis, B. (2003). La fragilità del bel paese: geologia dei paesaggi italiani. Edizioni Dedalo.
  9. ^ a b c d e Cucchi, F.; Gerdol, S.; Bertacchi, L. (1985). "I marmi del Carso triestino". Camera di Commercio, Industria, Artigianato e Agricoltura.
  10. ^ a b Balcon, S.; Girotto, C. (2022). "Extraction, processing and trade of Aurisina limestone in the Roman era: the case of the funerary steles of Regio X-Venetia et Histria" (PDF). The Lenses of the Past Multiscalar Approaches to Archaeology. 49.
  11. ^ Maritan, L.; Mazzoli, C.; Melis, E. (2003). "A multidisciplinary approach to the characterization of Roman gravestones from Aquileia (Udine, Italy)". Archaeometry. 45 (3): 363–374. doi:10.1111/1475-4754.00114. ISSN 0003-813X.
  12. ^ Greppi, P.; Bugini, R.; Folli, L. (2014). "Tecniche e materiali da costruzione nella Milano antica e medievale". LANX. Rivista della Scuola di Specializzazione in Beni Archeologici-Università degli Studi di Milano. 19: 95–128.
  13. ^ Previato, Caterina (2018). "Aurisina Limestone in the Roman Age: From Karst Quarries to the Cities of the Adriatic Basin". ASMOSIA XI, Interdisciplinary Studies on Ancient Stone, Proceedings of the XI International Conference of ASMOSIA. University of Split, Arts Academy in Split; University of Split, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy. pp. 933–939. doi:10.31534/xi.asmosia.2015/08.12. ISBN 978-953-6617-51-7.
  14. ^ a b Consorti, Lorenzo; Arbulla, Deborah; Bonini, Lorenzo; Fabbi, Simone; Fanti, Federico; Franceschi, Marco; Frijia, Gianluca; Pini, Gian Andrea (2021). "The Mesozoic palaeoenvironmental richness of the Trieste Karst". Geological Field Trips. 13 (2.2): 1–40. doi:10.3301/gft.2021.06. ISSN 2038-4947.
  15. ^ DEBORAH, ARBULLA (2017). "Ritrovamenti Paleontologici. Il Sito A Dinosauri Del Villaggio Del Pescatore" (PDF). Atti e Memorie della Commissione Grotte “E. Boegan”. 47: 87–107.
  16. ^ Previato, Caterina (2018). "Aurisina Limestone in the Roman Age: from Karst Quarries to the Cities of the Adriatic Basin". ASMOSIA XI, Interdisciplinary Studies on Ancient Stone, Proceedings of the XI International Conference of ASMOSIA. University of Split, Arts Academy in Split; University of Split, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy: 933–939. doi:10.31534/xi.asmosia.2015/08.12.
  17. ^ Jurkovšek, Bogdan; Biolchi, Sara; Furlani, Stefano; Kolar-Jurkovšek, Tea; Zini, Luca; Jež, Jernej; Tunis, Giorgio; Bavec, Miloš; Cucchi, Franco (2016-08-12). "Geology of the Classical Karst Region (SW Slovenia–NE Italy)". Journal of Maps. 12 (sup1): 352–362. doi:10.1080/17445647.2016.1215941. ISSN 1744-5647.
  18. ^ Sanders, D (2001). "Burrow-mediated carbonate dissolution in rudist biostromes (Aurisina, Italy): implications for taphonomy in tropical, shallow subtidal carbonate environments". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 168 (1–2): 39–74. doi:10.1016/s0031-0182(00)00249-2. ISSN 0031-0182.
  19. ^ Venturini, S.; Tentor, M. (2011). "Le rudiste di Malchina conservate presso il Museo della Roca di Monfalcone: un esempio di preservazione di macrofossili calcitici in facies dolomitiche" (PDF). Natura Nascosta. 42: 23–37.
  20. ^ a b c d e f Sanders, D (2001). "Burrow-mediated carbonate dissolution in rudist biostromes (Aurisina, Italy): implications for taphonomy in tropical, shallow subtidal carbonate environments". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 168 (1–2): 39–74. doi:10.1016/s0031-0182(00)00249-2. ISSN 0031-0182.
  21. ^ a b c d e f Caffau, Mauro; Pleničar, Mario (2004-06-30). "Rudist and foraminifer assemblages in the Santonian-Campanian sequence of Nanos Mountain (Western Slovenian)". Geologija. 47 (1): 41–54. doi:10.5474/geologija.2004.004. ISSN 0016-7789.
  22. ^ Venturini, S.; Tentor, M. (2011). "Le rudiste di Malchina conservate presso il Museo della Roca di Monfalcone: un esempio di preservazione di macrofossili calcitici in facies dolomitiche" (PDF). Natura Nascosta. 42: 23–37.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g Caffau, Mauro; Pugliese, Nevio; Pleničar, Mario (1995-12-30). "The development of the mollusc fauna in the Cenomanian of the stratigraphie sequence of Visogliano (Karst of Trieste, Italy)". Geologija. 37/38 (1): 87–121. doi:10.5474/geologija.1995.003. ISSN 0016-7789.
  24. ^ Dalla Vecchia, F. M.; Muscio, G. (1999). "Mesozoic Lagerstaetten of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region (NE Italy)". Rivista del Museo Civio di Scienzi Naturali "E. Caffi". 20: 71–74.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Dalla Vecchia, F.M; Tentor, M. (2004). "Il Carso 85 milioni di anni fa: Gli straordinari fossili di Polazzo" (PDF). Gruppo Speleologico Monfalconese A.d.F: 1–75.
  26. ^ Tyler, J. C.; Križnar, M. (2013). "A new genus and species, Slovenitriacanthus saksidai, from southwestern Slovenia, of the Upper Cretaceous basal tetraodontiform fish family Cretatriacanthidae (Plectocretacicoidea)". Bollettino del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Verona. 37: 45–56.
  27. ^ a b DELFINO, MASSIMO; MARTIN, JEREMY E.; BUFFETAUT, ERIC (2008). "A new species of Acynodon (Crocodylia) from the upper cretaceous (Santonian–Campanian) of Villaggio del Pescatore, Italy". Palaeontology. 51 (5): 1091–1106. Bibcode:2008Palgy..51.1091D. doi:10.1111/j.1475-4983.2008.00800.x. ISSN 0031-0239.
  28. ^ a b Marco, Muscioni; Chiarenza, Alfio Alessandro; Delfino, Massimo; Fabbri, Matteo; Milocco, Kevin; Fanti, Federico (2023). "Acynodon adriaticus from Villaggio del Pescatore (Campanian of Italy): Anatomical and chronostratigraphic integration improves phylogenetic resolution in Hylaeochampsidae (Eusuchia)". Cretaceous Research. 151: 105631. Bibcode:2023CrRes.15105631M. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2023.105631. ISSN 0195-6671.
  29. ^ Buffetaut, Eric; Jurkovšek, Bogdan; Kolar-Jurkovšek, Tea (2002). "A fossil feather from the Upper Cretaceous of Kras (Slovenia)". Comptes Rendus Palevol. 1 (8): 705–710. Bibcode:2002CRPal...1..705B. doi:10.1016/s1631-0683(02)00079-9. ISSN 1631-0683.
  30. ^ Chiarenza, Alfio Alessandro; Fabbri, Matteo; Consorti, Lorenzo; Muscioni, Marco; Evans, David C.; Cantalapiedra, Juan L.; Fanti, Federico (2021-12-02). "An Italian dinosaur Lagerstätte reveals the tempo and mode of hadrosauriform body size evolution". Scientific Reports. 11 (1): 23295. Bibcode:2021NatSR..1123295C. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-02490-x. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 8640049. PMID 34857789.
  31. ^ "Figure 1 | Scientific Reports". Scientific Reports. ISSN 2045-2322.
  32. ^ "Dinosauro Antonio – Museo di Storia Naturale" (in Italian). Retrieved 2021-12-11.

References

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  • Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; and Osmólska, Halszka (eds.): The Dinosauria, 2nd, Berkeley: University of California Press. 861 pp. ISBN 0-520-24209-2.


 

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