Composition and property data of Malta’s building stone for the construction of a database

Abstract

The islands, of Malta and Gozo, in the central Mediterranean, are composed of a sequence of sedimentary rocks. Of these, the Lower Globigerina Limestone Formation has been the main local building stone used for millennia: the oldest local constructions in this material are the prehistoric megalithic temples that h:nc been designated the earliest freestanding stone monuments in the world. The selection of quarry stone for building and restoration work continues to take place in an arbitrary way based on visual and tactile methods and the experience of quarry workers. Geochemical, mineralogical, physical and mechanical data on Globigerina Limestone. as obtained from different quarry locations and at different depths, are currently available. This information will be utilised to design and construct a GlS (Geographic information Systems) database holding data on local stone characteristics. This will be of use to, both the local building industry, which still widely uses this stone for construction. and also for restoration projects, where new stone may be required for replacement. This planned database should make the choice of stone more reliable by basing it on a sound scientific basis.