Building for Eternity

Archival Summary & Scope

Uncover the surprising extent of Rome's vast maritime infrastructure, a network that sustained the ancient world's first global empire and economy, preserved for millennia by revolutionary maritime concrete. This book reveals how Roman builders mastered construction in the sea, establishing harbors wherever needed.

Through a stimulating blend of archaeological, geological, historical, and chemical research, this interdisciplinary volume details the material science behind Roman success. It bridges the humanities and sciences, offering insights into ancient technology with profound implications for modern engineering, from understanding volcanic rocks to informing long-term hazardous waste storage.

Groundbreaking methodology included core sampling 36 concrete samples from 11 ancient structures across Italy and the Eastern Mediterranean. Mechanical, chemical, and physical analyses, combined with unique experimental archaeology replicating a Roman concrete pier underwater using ancient materials, illuminate the secrets of this enduring building material.

This volume serves as a foundational resource for scholars and enthusiasts of Roman architecture, engineering, and the history and chemistry of marine concrete, showcasing the powerful synergy between science and the humanities in understanding the past.