article_snippet: Scientists claim to have found a 'secret' ingredient in Roman concrete that helped it endure the elements.
article_snippet: Using X ray beams at the Advanced Light Source (ALS), researchers were able to study a reproduction of Roman volcanic ash-lime mortar.
article_snippet: Scientists looked at the mineralogical changes that took place in the curing of the mortar over a period of 180 days and compared the results to 1,900 year old samples of the original.
article_snippet: The team discovered that the volcanic ash creates a crystal structure that prevents tiny cracks from spreading.
article_snippet: The team also found that the use of strätlingite crystals in the material showed no corrosion, with The team smooth surface suggesting stability.