Ancient Pompeii Construction Site Reveals Secrets of Roman Concrete
Recent excavations in Pompeii’s Regio IX have uncovered something extraordinary: an unfinished Roman construction site preserved since the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. This rare find offers a direct glimpse into the building techniques of ancient Rome , shedding new light on how Roman engineers created their legendary concrete structures. Key Discoveries Archaeologists found walls in different stages of construction , alongside piles of raw materials left untouched since antiquity. Microstructural and chemical analysis revealed that Roman builders pre-mixed quicklime with dry pozzolan before adding water. This process created a durable concrete that has withstood centuries. The site provides direct evidence of Roman construction practices , rather than relying solely on finished structures or written accounts. Why It Matters Roman concrete has long fascinated scientists because of its remarkable durability compared to modern concrete . Understanding the exact methods...
