Archaeologists in Pompeii have recently discovered an ancient building site that provides valuable insight into the construction techniques utilized by the Romans to create iconic structures such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon, according to Italy’s culture ministry.
It is believed that this site was active up until the fateful eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which led to the destruction of Pompeii in southern Italy, as stated by the ministry in an official announcement.
Among the discoveries made by the archaeologists are various working tools, neatly stacked roof tiles, tuff bricks, and piles of lime and stones that were utilized in the construction of walls.
According to the ministry, the Romans had a unique method for creating cement, a revelation based on the findings of the archaeologists who collaborated with researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Pompeii, a site that lay forgotten until its rediscovery in the 16th century, has recently witnessed a surge in archaeological activities aimed at preserving it from years of deterioration and neglect.
The construction of concrete seemed to involve a process known as “hot mixing,” where quicklime was combined with dry pozzolana, or pozzolanic ash, and water was added just before the walls were erected.
This unique method meant that the lime, pozzolana, and stones remained hot during construction due to a thermal reaction, facilitating a faster drying process and thereby reducing the construction time of the structure.
Typically, quicklime is mixed with water long before being used in construction projects.
Director of the Pompeii site, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, expressed that this recent discovery provides valuable insights into various aspects of the magnificent Roman Empire, particularly highlighting the significance of concrete in their architectural endeavors.
He emphasized that without concrete, monumental structures such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Baths of Caracalla would not have been possible.
Additionally, archaeologists uncovered amphorae storage jars that were employed in “quenching” the lime utilized for plastering purposes, as well as storing various tools ranging from lead weights for ensuring vertical walls to iron hoes for preparing mortar and lime for construction work.
(Reporting by Cristina Carlevaro, editing by Gavin Jones and Bernadette Baum)
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