THE HEADSTONE OF SCIPIO
There are many famous headstones around the world, but here in St. Mary’s we have two that draw many visitors in. The grave of Scipio is arguably the most famous of the two and it has a rather complex background, to this day causing much debate and conflict.
The headstone of Scipio’s grave is made of Yellow Oolitic Limestone. The majority of English churchyards have very strict rules around what can be used for headstones on their land, and limestone is the most common material found.
Oolitic limestone is made up of small spheres called ooiliths that are stuck together by lime mud. They form when calcium carbonate is deposited on the surface of sand grains rolled (by waves) around on a shallow sea floor.
WEATHERING AND DAMAGE TO THE HEADSTONE
1. Limestone erodes through a combination of chemical weathering and physical processes. Rainwater and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere react with the calcium carbonate in limestone, forming a weak acid that dissolves the rock over time giving a rough surface feel.
2. Additionally, physical processes like abrasion and freeze-thaw cycles can break down limestone into smaller particles.
3. Plantlife is also a factor, such as the growth of lichen that can also damage limestone. Removal of lichen can actually result in more damage to the monument. This is because small holes will be left into which water will penetrate and in cold weather produce frost damage.
4. Limestone is also vulnerable, as is any material, to damage from vandalism. Although damage can be repaired there are often still ‘scars’ that can be seen in the stone.
TO QUALIFY FOR THE EARTHCACHE
1. Please give examples from Scipio’s headstone for each type of weathering/damage. Remember to look on the back of the headstone too.
Please send your answers via email or the message centre.