Self-Healing Stone: Scientists Unravel Roman Concrete Recipe From 2,000 Years Ago, How It Works

Self-Healing Stone: Scientists Unravel Roman Concrete Recipe From 2,000 Years Ago, How It Works
(Courtesy of Roberto Scalesse, Gianfranco Quaranta, Linda M. Seymour, Janille Maragh, Paolo Sabatini, Michel Di Tommaso, James C. Weaver, and Admir Masic); David P. Lewis/Shutterstock
Michael Wing
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Our cities are falling apart. Once-beautiful concrete bridges now show rusted rebar. Sidewalks buckle and fracture underfoot—even though they’re not that old. In just a short few decades, our concrete cities are already crumbling.

Ancient Roman concrete, meanwhile, continues to endure after thousands of years of weather, waves, and wear. Structures like the Pantheon in Rome are still going strong; despite centuries of crashing waves, maritime Roman concrete piers grow more robust with each passing day. What genius lies behind Roman concrete!

Michael Wing
Michael Wing
Editor and Writer
Michael Wing is a writer and editor based in Calgary, Canada, where he was born and educated in the arts. He writes mainly on culture, human interest, and trending news.
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