The Secret Ingredient Behind Rome’s Lasting Monuments
22nd December 2014
In 30 B.C., the Roman architect Vitruvius wrote down an ancient recipe for mortar that, as it happens, could make modern buildings more durable and environmentally friendly.
The crucial ingredient, volcanic sand, has long been credited with the longevity of Rome’s ancient monuments, including the Pantheon, Hadrian’s Temple, Trajan’s Market, and the Baths of Diocletian.