Roman Ruins Survive the Ages Thanks to Volcanic Ash

[Viggen]

Sandy ash produced by a volcano that erupted 456,000 years ago might have helped a huge ancient Roman complex survive intact for nearly 2,000 years despite three earthquakes, according to research presented last week in Rome. X-ray analysis of a wall sample from the Trajan's Market ruins in Rome showed that the mortars used by ancient Romans contained stratlingite, a mineral known to strengthen modern cements. "It is the first time that stratlingite is recognized in ancient mortars," Lucrezia Ungaro, the Trajan Forum archaeological chief, told Discovery News. "This is amazing, and shows the technical expertise of Roman builders..."

 

...read the full article at the Discovery Channel

[Ludovicus]

Is Trajan's Market a part of the Forum of Trajan? In a back issue of Archaeology Magazine it was reported the Forum of Trajan was in use up to the early 9th century AD. How's that for strength of construction?

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[sylla]

Sandy ash produced by a volcano that erupted 456,000 years ago might have helped a huge ancient Roman complex survive intact for nearly 2,000 years despite three earthquakes, according to research presented last week in Rome. X-ray analysis of a wall sample from the Trajan's Market ruins in Rome showed that the mortars used by ancient Romans contained stratlingite, a mineral known to strengthen modern cements. "It is the first time that stratlingite is recognized in ancient mortars," Lucrezia Ungaro, the Trajan Forum archaeological chief, told Discovery News. "This is amazing, and shows the technical expertise of Roman builders..."

 

...read the full article at the Discovery Channel

This seems like a quite creative explanation for the secret of the famous Roman cement; it would be interesting to check if there is additional confirmatory evidence for this thesis.

Edited May 14, 2009 by sylla