cement

Why Super-Cements May Hold Secrets of the Pyramid Builders

Submitted by MalcolmJ on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 12:14

Cement is quite literally the foundation on which modern civilization is built. It’s mankind’s most common building material, and has been a key component in most of the world’s construction projects for over a century.

Its origins are certainly ancient, and stretch back at least far as the Romans, and probably older still. The Romans may have learned cement-making from the Greeks.

The ancient Egyptians before them may have even mastered the technique for making geopolymers – an advanced type of super-cement.

Highlighted Quote:

“You would have thought I claimed the pyramids were carved by lasers,” -- Professor Michel Barsoum

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Malcolm Jack

Last three pieces by this author:

University of Sussex Cutbacks: Protests, Riot Police and Strike Action | Anglo-Saxon CSI: Archaeologists Stumped by Mystery Saxon Find | Latin Lovers: Bettany Hughes Helps Boris Johnson Launch 'Classics for Schools'

Malcolm Jack is a freelance arts and entertainment journalist based in Glasgow, Scotland. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2004 with an MA Honours Degree in History.

Roman Power-mortar contained volcanic Stratlingite

Submitted by Ann on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 18:30

Most likely it was not (just) supreme architectural skills and good fortune that made the Trajan Forum last for almost 20 centuries, but volcanic ashes in the mortar used by the ancient Roman builders. 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.

The cement used by Apollodorus of Damuscus' builders to construct the huge ancient roman complex contained sandy ash of a volcano that erupted 456,000 years ago.

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Why Super-Cements May Hold Secrets of the Pyramid Builders

Roman Power-mortar contained volcanic Stratlingite

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