travertine Calcium carbonate deposited by precipitation from carbonate-saturated waters, particularly from hot springs. Travertine deposits are sometimes massive, but often display a concentric or fibrous internal structure, sometimes building large, concentric, spherical masses. Travertine is also found in cave deposits in the form of stalagmites and stalactites. A porous, sponge-textured form of travertine is referred to as ‘tufa’ or ‘calc-sinter’.

Travertine. Ochre-, amber-, or cream-coloured textured limestone (also called a marble), pitted with irregular holes, and with random dark graining, found in the Tiber Valley near Rome, and used since Antiquity for paving, cladding, etc.

Bibliography

W. McKay (1957);
W. Papworth (1892);
Rodolico (1953)