BRONZE. Basically, bronze is an alloy consisting of copper, tin, traces of zinc, lead, and other elements. Bronze grave markers tend to have removable plates or scrolls attached to the plaques for displaying the name, and dates of birth and death of the deceased. This feature is particularly useful when opting for a companion gravestone as it is easy to add the details of the death of the surviving spouse in the future and there is no need to remove the entire headstone. On the downside, there usually develops a green film, called patina, on bronze markers over time, thereby altering its appearance slightly.
GRANITE. Granite is an igneous intrusive rock consisting of mica, quartz and feldspar, usually ranging from pink to grey in color. Granite is an affordable, hard and sturdy stone resistant to extreme environmental conditions. Moreover, it is available in a wide variety of colors such as black, white, grey, blue, green, magenta, mahogany, and so on. Plus, it can be carved to include intricate artwork and beautiful epitaphs. Some designs are engraved by hand with the help of rubber stencils with adhesive backing. Companies may also use computer stencil cutting machines. In addition, the final carving process is usually done through sandblasting.
MARBLE. Metamorphic rocks make up a large part of the earth’s surface and include marble, slate and quartzite. Both limestone and marble take carving well. Marble is a recrystallised form of limestone. Coming to marble, it is strong, aesthetic and appealing. However, the inscriptions on marble tombstones are likely to fade due to environmental factors, especially acid rains.
LIMESTONE. Sedimentary stone can be limestone or sandstone. Limestone comes from all over the world, but Lawrence County Indiana is known as having the highest quality quarried limestone in the US. During the 19th and 20th centuries, limestone monuments, mausoleums and gravestones were very popular, but after the discovery of the effect of acid rain on the stone, limestone is not used nearly as much.
SANDSTONE. Sandstone can also be found worldwide, usually around bodies of water or desert areas with sand. Composed of sand-sized minerals and rock grains, it has been used to build palaces and buildings; Ohio sandstone was used in the construction of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Sandstone is resistive to the elements but easy to carve making it a favorite of carvers for gravestones during the 17th to 19th centuries. These were mostly used around 1650 to 1890.
Questions: (send answers to my registered email account)
SANDSTONE. Head to N39 49.159 W86 10.387 and find the sandstone mausoleum with "C.B. Smith" on it.
- What condition is the stone in?
- Any visible signs of weathering on the stone?
BRONZE. Head to N39 49.163 W86 10.380 and find the bronze marker with "Olive Tousey" on it.
- What condition is the marker in?
- What color is the bronze?
- Any visible signs of weathering on the marker?
GRANITE. This is the most popular marker. Head to N39 49.162 w86 10.377 to find the granite monument with "Lydia Tousey" on it. You can see the crystals in the stone. They are different colors.
- Do you notice any wear on the monument?
MARBLE. You are now heading to N39 49.157 W86 10.379 to find the marble marker of "Marshall Hayden".
- What condition is the marker in?
- Does it show any signs of weathering?
- Can you still read the marker?
LIMESTONE. This is the last stop. Head to N39 49.135 W86 10.390 and look for the limestone marker with a cross carving for "James Fugate".
- What condition is still stone in?
- Does it still look legible?
- Do the carvings still show detail?
Rank each stone/metal from least resistant to most resistant to weathering.
Post a picture of yourself (face not required) or a personal item at the cemetery or another example of a grave marker. Please don't post pictures of the 5 used in this lesson.