Italy: Discovered Building in Pompeii Reveals Secrets of Ancient Roman Architecture

On Monday, April 6, the Italian Ministry of Culture announced that archaeologists have discovered an ancient building site in Pompeii that showcases the architectural methods of the Romans for constructing iconic structures such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon in Rome. The ministry stated that this site was likely in use until the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in southern Italy in 79 AD, which destroyed Pompeii. Archaeologists found tools, roof tiles, tuff bricks (formed from volcanic ash), and a large amount of lime and stone that were used in the construction of this building. The ministry, citing findings from archaeologists working with researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, noted that the Romans had an innovative technique for making concrete blocks. Pompeii, known as the 'burnt city,' was discovered in the 16th century and has been the site of extensive recent archaeological activity aimed at preventing further neglect in preserving this ancient site. Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of the Pompeii archaeological site, stated that the discovery of this building 'helps us understand many aspects of the architecture of the great Roman Empire, especially the use of concrete.' He said, 'Without concrete, neither the Colosseum nor the Pantheon nor the Baths of Caracalla would have existed.' Archaeologists also found pottery jars at this building site that were used for storing lime, as well as for keeping other tools, including lead weights for raising completely vertical walls and iron trowels for making mortar.