tech
December 10, 2025
Pompeii construction site confirms recipe for Roman concrete
Latest results from a recently discovered ancient Roman construction site confirm earlier findings.
TL;DR
- MIT scientists confirm ancient Romans used "hot mixing" to create self-healing concrete.
- New analysis of samples from a Pompeii construction site supports the hot mixing theory.
- The process involves quicklime and volcanic ash with pumice, enabling crack repair.
- This finding challenges the previously accepted recipe described by Vitruvius.
- Researchers suggest Vitruvius's writings might have been misinterpreted.
- The principles of Roman concrete are being used to develop more durable modern materials.
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