One of the key findings was the presence of small, white chunks of lime, known as clasts, within the concrete. These lime clasts were initially considered signs of poor workmanship. By examining the clasts with special microscopes, the team concluded that they originated from quicklime added directly during the mixing process-a method known as hot ( Read more... )

( Read more... )

( Read more... )

( Read more... )

( Read more... )

( Read more... )

( Read more... )

Ernesto Biondi - "It was twelve years ago while going over some ancient Roman manuscripts that I conceived a statue to represent the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. At first it was intended to be a much smaller group than it is. But the idea grew in my mind until it became a full life-sized group of ten figures. As every one knows, the feast ( Read more... )

( Read more... )

The Christmas spider legend is a folktale from Eastern Europe that explains the origin of tinsel on Christmas trees. The story is about a spider who spins beautiful decorations for a poor family in gratitude for their warmth. The story is most prevalent in Western Ukraine, where small spider-shaped ornaments are a traditional part of Christmas ( Read more... )