The disappearance of a revolutionary building material
For centuries, the secret to Roman architectural strength remained lost to history. This video investigates why concrete virtually vanished from the Mediterranean world during late antiquity and why it took until the twentieth century to see its widespread return.
The transition from late antiquity to the Middle Ages saw a profound shift in construction technology. While Roman engineering once relied on the durability of concrete, the material all but disappeared from use across the Mediterranean. This technological gap lasted for over a millennium, as the specialized knowledge and methods required for its production were lost, until the twentieth century brought its widespread reuse.
Source: Why was Roman Concrete Forgotten during the Middle Ages?
