Description

Inspired by the lapidaries of the ancient world this audiobook is a beautiful collection of true stories about sixty different stones that have influenced our shared history

The earliest scientists ground and processed minerals in a centurieslong quest for a mythic stone that would prolong human life Michelangelo climbed mountains in Tuscany searching for the sugarwhite marble that would yield his sculptures Catherine the Great wore the wealth of Russia stitched in gemstones onto the front of her bodices

Through the realms of art myth geology philosophy and power the story of humanity can be told through the minerals and materials that have allowed us to evolve and create From the Taiwanese national treasure known as the MeatShaped Stone to Maltas prehistoric fat lady temples carved in globigerina limestone to the amethyst crystals still believed to have healing powers Lapidarium is a jewel box of sixty farflung stones and the stories that accompany them Together they explore how human culture has formed stone and the roles stone has played in forming human culture