L’impiego delle pozzolane nelle malte a Roma dal II secolo a.C. al III secolo d.C.: specializzazione ed evoluzione della selezione in relazione all’evoluzione e all’espansione urbanistica della città

Abstract

Studies on the composition of mortars and conglomerates in Rome and Lazio have demonstrated the use and careful selection of
various volcanic products, chosen for their specific physical characteristics and ease of procurement. After initially using materials found
on construction sites or derived from the crushing of caementa, from the end of the 2nd century BC onwards, Pozzolane Rosse (red
pozzolans) cultivated in tunnels called arenari were used exclusively for mortars. Urban development and the expansion of the city led
to the abandonment of the arenari located in the central areas of Rome and the cultivation of pozzolan deposits located in peripheral
areas. From the 3rd century AD onwards, there is evidence of the alternative use or integration into mixtures of Pozzolane Nere and
Pozzolanelle, two different pyroclastic deposits extracted from two layers above the Pozzolane Rosse.