Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which historical alkaline earth was used in ancient mortar?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
alkaline-earth metal
Modern version of the periodic table of the elements (printable).
The earliest known alkaline earth used in ancient times was lime, which is now identified as calcium oxide. This substance was a key component in the composition of mortar used for construction.1
Historically, substances that were nonmetallic, insoluble in water, and resistant to fire were classified as "earths," and those that resembled alkalies were designated as alkaline earths. Lime, often obtained by calcining calcium carbonate such as limestone or shells, is a caustic solid that remains essential in the production of lime mortar and plaster.23