The latest excavations in Pompeii reveal, as archaeologists explain in the excavation journal, interesting aspects about life and construction techniques of the time.
An extraordinary example of this is found in the archaeological exploration of Insula IX-10, which is shedding new light on the processes and materials used by Pompeian stonemasons during the city’s final years of existence.
Excavations in this area have uncovered a true “frozen time capsule” at the moment of the fateful eruption.
Domus IX 10,1, which was undergoing renovation when Vesuvius erupted, has become a living laboratory allowing archaeologists and scientists to closely study the construction techniques used by the ancient Romans.
One of the main findings of this site is evidence of the use of an innovative concrete-making method involving the hot mixing of quicklime and pozzolan before hydration.
Remains of this pre-mixed material, still present in different corners of the domus, suggest that Pompeian builders employed advanced techniques for the production of their mortars and concretes.
However, the study of the decorative apparatus of the house reveals a different story. In this case, analyses indicate that the lime used for the restoration work of the mural frescoes was slaked lime, preserved in amphorae found in situ.
This finding highlights the diversity of techniques and materials that the Romans used depending on different construction needs.
The collaboration between the Pompeii Archaeological Park and a team of researchers from MIT is allowing for an in-depth exploration of these discoveries, with the aim not only of better understanding Roman construction technology but also of assessing its potential impact on the development of modern restoration materials, more sustainable and compatible with the ancient ones.
But Insula IX-10 not only offers a unique window into construction processes but also into the instruments and tools used by Pompeian stonemasons. Everything from lead weights for leveling, to hoes, shovels, and chisels has been found, artifacts that reveal the diversity of tools that construction workers used in their daily work.
Overall, the exploration of this Pompeii insula represents an unprecedented opportunity to integrate archaeological knowledge and scientific material analysis.
By combining these approaches, researchers hope to reconstruct Roman construction technology and its impact on society and culture of the time more completely.
Sources
- Share this article:
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
The Cadastre of Orange, the Roman Map Showing How Conquered Land Was Divided Among Settlers
The Cadastre of Orange is an ancient plan that shows the Roman centuriations (land distributions) that extended across the territory of the colony of Arausio (modern-day Orange in France) in…
How Were Mirrors Made in Ancient Egypt? An Analysis Reveals the Use of Alloys That Produced Golden or Silver Reflections
The mirrors of ancient Egypt have been the subject of great attention for their cultural importance and their connection to religious beliefs. However, their manufacturing process has not been thoroughly…
How the Bishop of the Diocese of Orlando Became the Bishop of the Moon
The year 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of Man’s landing on the Moon. It was on July 21, 1969, when Commander Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface where the Eagle,…
The Enigmatic Cones Worn by the Ancient Egyptians on Their Heads
Some readers, when looking closely at the Egyptian paintings in the tomb of the scribe Nebamun, might be surprised by the strange shapes crowning the figures’ heads. It may seem…
Rihonor de Castilla, the Village that is Half Spanish and Half Portuguese
Border towns and territories often have a turbulent history, being the object of both military and political confrontations over their possession, and frequently changing hands. When it comes to regions,…
Marcus Antonius Pallas, the Treasurer of Two Roman Emperors Who Became Rich Without Ever Embezzling Public Funds
Callistus, Terentius, Hyginus, Narcissus, Asiaticus, Neophytus, Phaon, Pallas… What do these names of historical figures from Ancient Rome have in common? All of them were freedmen, that is, slaves freed…
The Zagros Mountains were the place where Neanderthals and modern humans interbred
An international team of researchers has used innovative ecological modeling techniques to identify, for the first time, the possible geographical areas where Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans might have encountered…
Iron Was The First and Only Metal of Life’s Origin
Life as we know it relies on small quantities of metals to perform essential biological functions like breathing, DNA transcription, and energy conversion. Since the earliest forms of life floated…
Terror Birds, the Superpredators of Prehistoric South America
In the vast plains of ancient South America, millions of years ago, a menacing shadow loomed over the grasslands. It wasn’t a dinosaur or a mammalian predator, but a colossal…
Silver production in the southeastern Iberian Peninsula did not stop during the Phoenician crisis of the 6th century BC
The results of a study conducted by an international team of researchers on silver and lead production in the southeastern Iberian Peninsula during the first millennium BC challenge previous theories…
Evidence Found for the Origin of Sagittarius A*, the Black Hole at the Center of the Milky Way
Supermassive black holes, celestial objects with masses greater than a million times that of the Sun, remain one of the greatest enigmas of the cosmos. These dark giants, located at…
An Exceptional Celtic Helmet from the Iron Age, Found in Poland
Recently, at the archaeological site of Łysa Góra, located in Mazovia, Poland, a team of researchers unearthed a remarkable set of approximately 300 artifacts, including iron tools such as axes…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.