The colorful history of marble

DW (English)

Marble has been a symbol of wealth and power since 700 BC. It is particularly suitable for sculptures, or the construction and furnishing of stately buildings. But what makes marble so popular?

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00:00As early as 700 BC, marble symbolized power and prosperity, the white gold of stone.

00:10Formed over thousands of years, marble results from tectonic pressure and heat transforming

00:16limestone and other sediments deep within the Earth.

00:20This process creates its signature patterns.

00:23The name marble comes from the ancient Greek word marmaros, meaning shimmering or shining.

00:29That's why marble is often used for sculptures.

00:32The way it reflects light brings them to life.

00:35The first marble was quarried on Greek islands like Paros.

00:39The Venus de Milo was carved from Parian marble.

00:43Marble has also long been used in the construction of grand buildings.

00:47From the Egyptian pyramids to the Acropolis in Athens and Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan.

00:56Here an entire city was built from white marble.

01:00The most prized white marble has been quarried in Carrara, Italy since around 200 BC and

01:06was used for Michelangelo's David.

01:11But marble doesn't always have to be expensive.

01:14It's available from China or India for just a few euros per square meter.

01:19This marble is often used for surfaces like table legs and tops.

01:24Many are simply a cheaper stone with a marble-like finish.

01:30Marbling has also become trendy as a print pattern, including in the fashion industry.

01:38And finally, in honour of marble, there's a classic of a different kind.

01:42The world-famous marble cake.

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