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Reactive ceramic aggregates in mortars from ancient water infrastructure serving Rome and Pompeii

2022; Elsevier BV; Volume: 3; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.xcrp.2022.101024

2666-3864

Linda M. Seymour, Duncan Keenan‐Jones, Gian Luca Zanzi, James C. Weaver, Admir Mašić,

Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis

Throughout the ancient Roman empire, crushed ceramics were commonly used as additives for surface mortars that were in continuous or frequent contact with freshwater. Inspired by the long-term durability of these materials and employing multi-scale correlative characterization approaches that combine electron microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy-based techniques, we demonstrate the role of these ceramics as a long-term source of reactive aluminosilicates. By mapping the spatial distribution of both pozzolanic and post-pozzolanic phases, our analyses reveal the presence of a hybrid binder consisting of cementitious hydrates and calcite at the interface between the ceramics and the surrounding matrix and provide evidence of post-pozzolanic densification and the filling of pores and cracks. The analysis of a wide range of ancient Roman structures used for the distribution and storage of freshwater demonstrates the ubiquity of ceramic additives for these applications and points to the opportunity for creating more robust modern analogs of these ancient concrete formulations.