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Artifact of the Week: Alabaster Obelisk

What type of mineral do you think this is?

How is it formed?

What is it used for?



Answers:

What type of mineral do you think this is? How is it formed?

This is an alabaster obelisk! Alabaster is a soft mineral, a fine-grained type of gypsum deposited from both fresh- and saltwater sources, and therefore found around the world.

What is it used for?

Alabaster has most often been used for carving sculptures. In the ancient Near East alabaster was plentiful and so was used often to make carved statues. These statues were often particularly important cultural and religious objects. Later in the European Middle Ages the carving of alabaster was revived, often with the same religious and cultural significance.



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