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Scientists Discover Reason Why Roman Buildings Have Lasted So Long
How ancient concrete has far outlasted its modern equivalent
Roman concrete is notoriously strong. Roman structures have lasted for thousands of years, and many of them look no worse for wear than they did when they were built. Many of these ancient Roman buildings are made from a specific type of concrete that has left scientists and engineers scratching their heads for centuries. Not only has this concrete stood the test of time, but it has also been used in incredible shapes like free-standing domes and arches are still impressive.
Modern concrete is cheap and widely available, but it is not very durable. Many concrete buildings have a shelf life of a century, maybe two centuries. After that, modern concrete starts to crack and crumble. That means that, currently, there will be few buildings from our present era that survive into the distant future.
So how is it that people two thousand years ago made a building material more durable than the one we have today? We might finally know the answer to that question.
Is Heat The Key?
For decades, scientists and historians have been stuck on the formula of ancient Roman concrete. People thought that the Romans must have found some…
