what was concrete made out of in ancient rome
Yet structures like the Pantheon and the Colosseum have survived for centuries, often with little to no maintenance. Geologists, archaeologists and engineers are studying the properties of ancient Roman concrete to solve the mystery of its longevity. âRoman concrete is . . . considerably weaker than modern concretes. Itâs approximately ten times weaker,â says Renato Perucchio, a mechanical engineer at the University of Rochester in New York.
Romeâs famous Trevi Fountain, for instance, is supplied by a restored version of the Aqua Virgo, one of ancient Romeâs 11 aqueducts. Concrete Grand Tour Collection/Corbis. Many ancient Roman structures like the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum are still standing today thanks to the development of Roman cement and concrete. The Romans first began building with concrete over 2,100 years ago and used it throughout the Mediterranean basin in everything from aqueducts and buildings to bridges and monuments.