Fragment, Concrete
Country
Syria
See full details
Object detail
Description
Fragment of pale pink coloured concrete containing shell, gravel, stone and sand. Mortar is composed of shells and large stone inclusions.
Classification
ARCHAEOLOGY
Measurements
L77mm x W74mm x D19mm
Media/Materials description
Concrete
Aggregate (sand, gravel, small stones) and paste (water, lime, sand, volcanic earth, ash)
Aggregate (sand, gravel, small stones) and paste (water, lime, sand, volcanic earth, ash)
Signature/Marks
J.47
History and use
This is a fragment of coloured (painted) Roman concrete. Concrete was a material widely used in Ancient Rome, and was used for everything from roads to buildings. One concrete recipie was written by Roman engineer Marcus Vitruvis in 30 BCE which included volcanic ash, lime, seawater, with volcanic rocks, and placed in wooden moulds which were then placed in seawater. The immersion in seawater causes a chemical reaction between the salt and ash to make concrete exceptionally strong.
Associated person
Registration number
E40094
Share
