What does this research mean for the field?

Builders at Herod's Caesarea Maritima integrated local and imported construction technologies, including Roman opus caementicium and Phoenician-Punic techniques, using flexible, non-standardized strategies tailored to specific architectural functions. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To characterize the composition and technology of mortars and plasters across various architectural elements at Herodian Caesarea Maritima to assess local and Roman technological integration.

September 10, 2026Materials and StructuresOpen Access

Mortars and plasters at Herod's Caesarea Maritima: integration of imported and local construction technologies

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Authors

MSMeidad Shor OPOrit Peleg-Barkat U‘Uzi ‘Ad

Discussion

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Overview

Material analysis reveals integration of Roman and Phoenician-Punic construction technologies across structural elements, suggesting Caesarea Maritima served as an experimental construction hub.

Key Points

To characterize the composition and technology of mortars and plasters across various architectural elements at Herodian Caesarea Maritima to assess local and Roman technological integration.
Sampled four functional mortar categories (bedding mortar, pointing mortar, plaster, and mortar rubble core) from walls, foundations, and roofs of the Augusteum vaults, Promontory Palace, southern fortification, and theatre.
Conducted petrographic, mineralogical, and chemical analyses to determine binder types, aggregate grain sizes, and additives.
Identified three distinct binders: lime-based mixtures, lime–gypsum composites, and pure gypsum.
Detected imported Roman volcanic ash associated with opus caementicium in mortared rubble cores, alongside regional Phoenician-Punic organic ash additives in bedding mortars, pointing mortars, and plasters.
Aggregate grain sizes were calibrated to specific uses, ranging from fine fractions (≤ 3 mm) for pointing mortars to coarse material (≤ 15 mm) for structural components.

Cite This Study

Shor et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa27a9f58559d80afc73605 https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-026-03228-9

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September 10, 2026Materials and StructuresOpen Access

Mortars and plasters at Herod's Caesarea Maritima: integration of imported and local construction technologies

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MSMeidad Shor OPOrit Peleg-Barkat U‘Uzi ‘Ad

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Material analysis reveals integration of Roman and Phoenician-Punic construction technologies across structural elements, suggesting Caesarea Maritima served as an experimental construction hub.

Key Points

To characterize the composition and technology of mortars and plasters across various architectural elements at Herodian Caesarea Maritima to assess local and Roman technological integration.
Sampled four functional mortar categories (bedding mortar, pointing mortar, plaster, and mortar rubble core) from walls, foundations, and roofs of the Augusteum vaults, Promontory Palace, southern fortification, and theatre.
Conducted petrographic, mineralogical, and chemical analyses to determine binder types, aggregate grain sizes, and additives.
Identified three distinct binders: lime-based mixtures, lime–gypsum composites, and pure gypsum.
Detected imported Roman volcanic ash associated with opus caementicium in mortared rubble cores, alongside regional Phoenician-Punic organic ash additives in bedding mortars, pointing mortars, and plasters.
Aggregate grain sizes were calibrated to specific uses, ranging from fine fractions (≤ 3 mm) for pointing mortars to coarse material (≤ 15 mm) for structural components.

Cite This Study

Shor et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa27a9f58559d80afc73605 https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-026-03228-9

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark