US uncovers secret behind Roman concrete durability

The Jerusalem Post reveals in its article that researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University have uncovered new insights into the incredible durability of ancient Roman concrete. 

The team, led by Professor Admir Masic, discovered that the Romans used a technique called "hot mixing," which could explain the impressive longevity of structures like the Pantheon.

For decades, scientists have been trying to uncover the secret behind the enduring strength of Roman concrete. According to Science Alert, modern analysis has revealed that the Romans' mixing methods were far more advanced than previously believed. Masic and his team studied concrete samples from the archaeological site of Privernum in Italy, dating back nearly 2,000 years, using cutting-edge techniques such as scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy.

One of the team’s key discoveries was the presence of small, white lime chunks, known as clasts, within the concrete. These lime clasts were once thought to be signs of poor workmanship. However, Masic questioned this assumption. "The idea that the presence of these lime clasts was simply attributed to low quality control always bothered me," he said, as reported by Science Alert. By examining the clasts with advanced microscopes, the team determined that they came from quicklime added directly during the mixing process—an approach known as hot mixing.

By Naila Huseynova