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The quarry in Podpeč near Ljubljana is considered the main quarry of the Roman colony Iulia Emona (Ljubljana, Slovenia). The existence of an ancient quarry in Podpeč has been substantiated based solely on the macroscopic similarity... more
The quarry in Podpeč near Ljubljana is considered the main quarry of the Roman colony Iulia Emona (Ljubljana,
Slovenia). The existence of an ancient quarry in Podpeč has been substantiated based solely on the macroscopic similarity
between the Lithiotid Limestone Member outcropping in Podpeč and the associated Roman monuments discovered in
Ljubljana. In the present work, we have attempted to find tangible archaeological and geoarchaeological evidence for
its existence. Archaeological excavations in the form of three trenches were carried out in the northernmost part of the
quarry. We determined the lithological composition of limestone discovered in the trenches and the limestone used for
the 288 objects found in Ljubljana. The lithological analysis of the monuments from Emona revealed that as many as 182
(or 64%) of the analysed monuments were made of limestone, which is lithologically identical to the types of limestone
outcropping in Podpeč. Lithologies represented in monuments also spatially group north of the modern quarry. However,
the question of the affiliation of some of the varieties of limestone represented remains open. These limestone types
lack diagnostic components and could also belong to the slightly older Krka Limestone Member. Reconstruction of the
extent of the ancient quarry was enabled using microfacies comparison of lithostratigraphic source units and objects/
products, as well as with the historical analysis of early cartographic and cadastral documents. Studying the forms of
the earliest objects (stelae) also suggests that the earliest monuments were produced by stonemasons who came to the
area from the quarry in Aurisina (Italy).
Slovenia). The existence of an ancient quarry in Podpeč has been substantiated based solely on the macroscopic similarity
between the Lithiotid Limestone Member outcropping in Podpeč and the associated Roman monuments discovered in
Ljubljana. In the present work, we have attempted to find tangible archaeological and geoarchaeological evidence for
its existence. Archaeological excavations in the form of three trenches were carried out in the northernmost part of the
quarry. We determined the lithological composition of limestone discovered in the trenches and the limestone used for
the 288 objects found in Ljubljana. The lithological analysis of the monuments from Emona revealed that as many as 182
(or 64%) of the analysed monuments were made of limestone, which is lithologically identical to the types of limestone
outcropping in Podpeč. Lithologies represented in monuments also spatially group north of the modern quarry. However,
the question of the affiliation of some of the varieties of limestone represented remains open. These limestone types
lack diagnostic components and could also belong to the slightly older Krka Limestone Member. Reconstruction of the
extent of the ancient quarry was enabled using microfacies comparison of lithostratigraphic source units and objects/
products, as well as with the historical analysis of early cartographic and cadastral documents. Studying the forms of
the earliest objects (stelae) also suggests that the earliest monuments were produced by stonemasons who came to the
area from the quarry in Aurisina (Italy).
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Over the course of studying stone products from the Roman colony of Emona (Regio X), stratigraphically undefined calcarenite that was used to make simple sepulchral and architectural stone products was detected. The calcarenite used is... more
Over the course of studying stone products from the Roman colony of Emona (Regio X), stratigraphically undefined calcarenite that was used to make simple sepulchral and architectural stone products was detected. The calcarenite used is late Aptian to early Cenomanian in age. The corresponding facies were found in the Lower Flyschoid Formation outcropping near the town of Medvode, within the local radius of Emona. The Roman quarry was likely located in this area near the Sava River. According to the collected data, the quarry was in operation mainly in the 1st century.
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Kamnolom v naselju Podpeč pri Ljubljani velja za glavni kamnolom rimske kolonije Emone (Ljubljana). Obstoj antičnega kamnoloma v Podpeči je bil do sedaj utemeljen le na podlagi makroskopske podobnosti med Členom litiotidnega apnenca,... more
Kamnolom v naselju Podpeč pri Ljubljani velja za glavni kamnolom rimske kolonije Emone (Ljubljana). Obstoj antičnega kamnoloma v Podpeči je bil do sedaj utemeljen le na podlagi makroskopske podobnosti med Členom litiotidnega apnenca, ki izdanja v Podpeči, in z njim povezanimi rimskimi spomeniki, odkritimi v Ljubljani. V okviru pričujočega dela smo skušali poiskati oprijemljive arheološke in geoarheološke dokaze za njegov obstoj. V skrajno severnem delu kamnoloma smo izvedli arheološko sondiranje, hkrati pa natančno določili sestavo apnenca na tem območju in v 288 izdelkih iz antične Emone. Sondiranje severno od modernega kamnoloma je odkrilo dobro ohranjene sledove rimskodobne kamnoseške dejavnosti. Hkrati je litološka analiza spomenikov iz Emone razkrila, da je kar 182 (ali 64 odstotkov) analiziranih spomenikov izdelanih iz apnenca, litološko identičnega različkom, ki izdanjajo v Podpeči. Ti različki se prostorsko grupirajo severno od modernega kamnoloma. Pri ...
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With an increasing global demand for raw materials, along with an ageing work force in Europe and public distrust for the sector at large, there is a rapidly growing need to work with public awareness and education within the subject of... more
With an increasing global demand for raw materials, along with an ageing work force in Europe and public distrust for the sector at large, there is a rapidly growing need to work with public awareness and education within the subject of geology. By using innovative tools and models such as gamification, we can develop and nurture interest in raw materials and geology for the future workers and policy makers within the EU. BetterGeoEdu is a project that targets primary schools by providing teacher resources on raw materials, circular economy and sustainability using BetterGeo – a modification of the immensely popular video game Minecraft. The gamification model is used to engage and motivate students by inspiring creativity and learning while having fun.
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<p>Application RockCheck (original version KamenCheck in Slovenian) was developed as an e-learning material, which can be used for teaching and... more
<p>Application RockCheck (original version KamenCheck in Slovenian) was developed as an e-learning material, which can be used for teaching and learning geological contents in formal and non-formal education. Our aim was to create the teaching aid that will contribute to the improvement and quality of teaching and learning of basic geological contents within natural science subjects. It was created to be used in classrooms, as an additional motivation tool combined with active learning methods, and also in challenges for lessons in nature. Since the application uses the approach of experimental and observational based learning no pre-existing knowledge is needed, and users can determine names of typical rocks only by following the app's instructions.</p><p>The application consists of three main chapters  whose contents are interrelated. The main chapter presents the Rock key where through a simple decision key, by answering the question with yes or no, the user identifies the name of the individual rock. The application enables independent research by observing and experimenting with using simple tools. The other two chapters, Encyclopaedia and School of rock, help the user to enable further learning about rocks in general, about their appearance, formation and usage as well as help to understand geological concepts and procedures. The contents of the chapters are cautiously connected with the links. The last two chapters are a crucial support for planning and teaching the geological contents and present also the good base for preparing active learning challenges. All contents within the application were carefully designed and based on learning objectives of the Slovenian curriculum.</p><p>As an important project upgrade the interactive and experimental workshop was created which provides an insight to use the application as a learning aid. The workshop provides the examples and concepts of how the teachers through experiential learning can teach geology and thus increase the understanding and sustainability of knowledge. In order to actively involve the participants in the learning process, the workshop covers a variety of challenges that are addressed through different teaching methods. Besides, the special interactive learning sheets were created, which were designed with a specific goal and level. We also created a  board game called RockGame. It uses the RockCheck app for solving challenges and answering questions in the game. The main aim of the RockGame is to raise awareness about the topic of raw materials. Trough gamification pupils learn about geologist’s role in the raw material value chain. We did so by including the connection between minerals, rocks, raw mineral resources and final products in the game.</p><p>The application was made within the student project StoneKey (call "On the creative path to knowledge 2017-2020"). The project involved 9 students of different degrees and study programs, three teaching mentors and a working mentor from the company DigiEd. The project was co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union from the European Social Fund.  The application was later upgraded and translated within the EU project RM@Schools 3.0. funded by the European Institute of Innovation and technology.</p>