PERGAMON KOZAK GRANITE

Quarry Site 

Kozak Granite was quarried from ancient sites in the Azattaşı Tepe area between the villages of Demirciler, Okçular, and Ayvatlar on the Kozak plateau in Bergama (Pergamon), İzmir. 

Kozak Granite was transported to the ancient ports of Bergama and Elaia (Kazıkbağları), loaded onto ships and primarily exported as semi-processed columns to Mediterranean countries for various construction projects. In the region around the ancient city of Perperene, close to the quarries, remnants of this stone can be observed in architectural features such as columns and sarcophagi. 

Nomenclature

This igneous stone, classified as granodiorite, has a rich historical legacy dating back to the Roman Empire. Known historically as ‘Marmor Misium’ or ‘Granito Misio,’ it earned its name due to its origin in the ancient region of Mysia. Italian stonemasons also called it ‘Granito Misio.’*

Today, Pergamon Kozak Granite continues to be actively quarried. 

Usage Areas

Kozak Granite was used in historic buildings, indoor and outdoor, most frequently for columns. A notable example of this stone is a water basin prominently displayed in the garden of the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. 

*Lazzarini, 1998; De Vecchi et al. 2000.