Tomb of Roman Noblewoman Reveals Ancient Concrete Secrets

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The tomb of first-century noblewoman Caecilia Metella, located on the Via Appia Antica, showcases the remarkable durability of ancient Roman concrete. The construction of the tomb, built around 30 BCE, used volcanic aggregate and unique chemical interactions that have preserved the structure for over 2,000 years. Research funded by the U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-e program has shed light on the innovative and robust construction methods employed in ancient Roman concrete structures.