The ancient Kamirian water storage tank: A proof of concrete technology and durability for three millenniums

Abstract

This paper presents the research work conducted on a concrete specimen cut from a manmade underground hydraulic structure with respect to a well-preserved water storage tank which was discovered from the archaeological excavations in the area of the ancient city of Kamiros. During Antiquity, this city was the largest of the three most important cities of the Greek island of Rhodes, where for millenniums civilisation flourished in all its expressions and forms. The research concerns physical, chemical and mechanical tests carried out on the concrete sample. The results derived show this concrete's good durability despite the dissolving effect of rainwater and of the humic acid's activity for roughly the past three millenniums. Also, the technological aspects of this concrete reveal that the ancient greeks had an excellent knowledge of concrete technology three millenniums ago.