limestone

Sedimentary rock formed from large concentrations of marine shell life, hence composed largely of calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate. It is the dominant rock in the central hills of Palestine and the heights of the Transjordan. When treated with heat and water, the resulting slaked (hydrated) lime could be used for plaster, providing a smooth base for decoration. In its natural state, limestone was the primary construction material for stone walls, foundations, door sockets, lintels, and even decorative work such as stelae, friezes, bas-reliefs, and statuary in Palestine. Most of the frequent biblical references to stone are thus to limestone (1Kgs 5:5; 1Kgs 6:36; 2Kgs 12:12; Amos 5:11; Matt 24:2). The Hebrews knew the treatment of heating it (Isa 33:12) and the consequences on human bone (Amos 2:1). Decomposed limestone constitutes the bulk of Palestine’s soil.