Why did Roman concrete last longer than many modern materials?

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Interior view of the Pantheon in Rome, showing the coffered concrete dome with a central oculus letting in natural light above ornate walls.

Diagram explaining hot mixing in Roman concrete production, showing steps from preparing quicklime, volcanic ash, and aggregates, to mixing with water, and illustrating how the resulting concrete self-repairs using lime clasts formed during hot mixing to create calcium carbonate in cracks.

Pont du Gard, Nîmes, France

Why did Roman concrete last longer than many modern materials?: Media

Images

Interior view of the Pantheon in Rome, showing the coffered concrete dome with a central oculus letting in natural light above ornate walls.

Pantheon, Rome

The interior of the Pantheon's coffered ceiling, which is made from Roman concrete,...

© David Soanes/stock.adobe.com

Diagram explaining hot mixing in Roman concrete production, showing steps from preparing quicklime, volcanic ash, and aggregates, to mixing with water, and illustrating how the resulting concrete self-repairs using lime clasts formed during hot mixing to create calcium carbonate in cracks.

How Roman concrete repairs itself

Diagram showing the steps to make Roman concrete and the stages of self-repair.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Pont du Gard, Nîmes, France

Pont du Gard, Nîmes, France

View of Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct made of Roman concrete at Nîmes, France.

© Zechal/stock.adobe.com