Do you know the history and tradition marble monuments and tombstones?

In our series of materials for making monuments and monuments, we introduced granite, marble, sandstone, limestone, bronze, copper, slate and wood.

In this article, we will learn about the classic usage of marble in commemorative marks, statues and monuments.

Throughout hundreds of years of history, marble has been a popular choice for architecture, monuments, statues and other stone markings. One of the most famous statues in the world, Michelangelo's "David", was carved from marble slabs more than 500 years ago. There are countless marble fountains and statues in Italy. Marble is widely used in construction because of its beauty, usability and ease of engraving by masons. From stairs to pillars, marble can be seen everywhere in the world.

So what is marble and how is it different from granite? Marble is just limestone that is compressed or heated deep in the earth's crust. Unlike granite, marble is never molten rock, but may be heated and squeezed enough to cause limestone particles to bend or flow.

Because of the way marble is formed, it is lighter and softer than granite. Although this makes it easier to carve, it also means that it is not as durable as granite. In the United States, almost any cemetery will see white marble tombstones, and the carvings on them are almost illegible. If there are no other records, the history of these tombs may disappear over time. Although tombstones can be repaired professionally, this usually only happens when family members spend time, energy, and financial burden on repairing.

Famous marble monuments and mausoleums：

For thousands of years, marble has been used in buildings and monuments. Some of the most famous examples of marble buildings include the Taj Mahal and the Colosseum in India.

In the United States, most major cities have marble decorated government buildings, post offices and schools. One of the most famous marble buildings in the United States is the Washington Supreme Court built in 1935. Its appearance is pure white.

• Use of the cemetery

The most common use of marble in monuments and memorials is in tombstones. Because it is easily shaped and carved into beautiful memorials by skilled stonemasons and carvers, these memorials can be found in cemeteries across the United States, dating back to the 17th century. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, many marble tombstones have been eroded over the years and become illegible.

Monuments tend to withstand the test of time and climate better than tombstones, usually because they are larger in size and carved deeper. The Washington Monument is one of the most famous marble monuments in the United States, reaching an impressive 555 feet in height. Due to a 23 years suspension from 1854 to 1877, this marble obelisk took 40 years to complete. Due to subtle differences and interferences in building materials and craftsmanship, the amount and type of marble in the monument are not consistent. The 150 feet below is a white marble with a distinctly different tone.

In recent years, granite has replaced slate and marble as the first choice for tombstones in cemeteries. However, marble is still a good choice for all types of monuments, and newer craftsmanship and coatings can help marble continue to be used for many years to come.