Raw materials and building technologies in the public buildings of Pompeii after the earthquake of 62/63 CE: A diachronic analysis of mortars

The paper deals with the technological aspects of the construction site of Pompeii through the characterization of the mortars, focusing on the identification of raw materials, their supply areas, selection criteria and mixing techniques to evaluate the continuity and changes in the different construction phases. Thanks to a multidisciplinary protocol that integrates archaeological, architectural, minero-petrographic and geochemical analyses, the study reveals that the binders were obtained from burning limestones from Mt. Lattari, while the aggregates are compatible with products from the Somma-Vesuvius volcano. The mortars from the period before 62/63 CE are characterised by a careful selection and preparation of the raw material, while the mortars from the period after 62/63 CE indicate a less precise procedures, probably due to the urgent need for reconstruction after the earthquake. Despite these changes, the essential quality and hydraulic properties of the mortars remained intact, demonstrating the resilience of ancient building practises. • Investigate mortars from public buildings in Pompeii. • Continuity and changes in technologies and raw materials over time. • Resilience of ancient building practises in post seismic reconstruction.