Purbeck Limestone

Purbeck limestone (also known as Purbeck marble) is a fossiliferous limestone of Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous age.found in the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, after which it takes it's name. It was deposited in a fresh to brackish water environment with occasional marine incursions. It's characteristic appearance comes from densely packed shells of the freshwater snail Viviparus set in a lime mud matrix. It's extraction has been well documented since Roman times, however, a single example of it's use from the Bronze Age can be found in a cist (ossuary/grave) at Langton Matravers. As a building & decorative stone it was used in the construction of Canterbury, Lincoln, Salisbury cathedrals & Westminster Abby to name but a few. Specimens are supplied in labelled card trays.