View article

The current widespread use of calcium silicate or aluminate hydrate binder systems in the construction industry finds its roots in the Antique world where mixtures of calcined lime and finely ground reactive (alumino-) silicate materials were pioneered and developed as competent inorganic binders. Architectural remains of the Minoan civilization (2000-1500 BC) on Crete have shown evidence of the combined use of slaked lime and additions of finely ground potsherds to produce stronger and more durable lime mortars suitable for water-proof renderings in baths, cisterns and aqueducts (Spence and Cook 1983). It is not clear when and where mortar technology evolved to incorporate volcanic pumice and ashes as a functional supplement. A plausible site would be the Akrotiri settlement at Santorin (Greece), where archeological indications of strong ties with the Minoan culture were found and large quantities of …