Adrian’s Toilet Reveals a New Secret About the Durability of Roman Concrete
TL;DR AI
2 min readKey summary
A study of a drain beneath a latrine at Hadrian’s Villa found an additional reason Roman concrete lasts so long.
Beyond the known lime-and-volcanic-ash reaction, slow carbonation formed calcite that filled pores and cracks over time.
This long-term calcite growth likely helped strengthen the concrete and improve its durability.
The finding could inspire more durable modern cements and self-healing materials.
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