4
I thought the 'Roman concrete' story was just a myth until I saw it myself
For years I heard people talk about how Roman concrete gets stronger over time, and I always thought it was just a cool story. Then, on a trip to Italy, I visited the ancient port at Caesarea Maritima. A guide pointed out underwater structures that have been sitting in salt water for two thousand years and are still solid. She said, 'The seawater actually causes a chemical reaction that makes it harder,' and I had to admit they were right. Has anyone else had an old belief about ancient tech completely flipped by seeing it in person?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
skylerp318d agoTop Commenter
Sure it's solid, but that doesn't mean it's better. Modern concrete sets faster and lets us build way taller. Their stuff lasted, but we build for different needs now. Progress isn't just about lasting two thousand years.
7
Totally get that. Seeing the Pantheon's dome in Rome was my moment. The guide explained how the concrete at the top uses lighter volcanic rock, which is why it hasn't collapsed. Makes you realize how advanced their material science really was.
5