Journal of Architectural Conservation
Volume 13, Issue 1, March 2007
Roman Cement
Part One: Its Origins and Properties
David Hughes, Simon Swann and Alan Gardner
Paper Summary
Roman cement had a short period of significant use in comparison to lime and Portland cement. Despite this, there is a legacy of fine buildings of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in whose construction Roman cement was used, about which conservators need to be informed. This paper provides a brief history of the material, its characteristics, and the mortars used for stucco and cast decorative elements with due recognition given to the surface finishes which were required.
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Figure 1 A Roman cement casting disfigured by a thick coating of a cement spray.
Figure 2 Inappropriate use of Portland cement for the repair of Roman cement stucco.
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David C. Hughes BSc (Hons), PhD
David is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Materials with particular interests in mortars using cements, limes, hydraulic limes and pozzolanas. His interest in Roman cement began some 15 years ago and has focused on the calcination of various cement stones from across Europe, latterly as part of the ROCEM project. He is currently investigating the use of rapid prototyping technology for the production of moulds to yield cast elements from existing decorations and historical drawings.
Simon Swann BA (Hons), ACR
Simon is an architectural conservator specializing in mortars, plasters, stucco, stone and related materials. He has been involved in several major conservation projects involving the conservation of Parker’s Roman cement and was a member of the ROCEM project. He has worked as consultant on stucco projects including: Castle House, Bridgwater; Hadlow Tower, Kent; Norwich Castle, Norwich; Sibton Park, Suffolk; and Albion Place Gardens (Pulhamite Landscape), Ramsgate, Kent.
Alan Gardner BSc (Hons), MRICS, SPAB Lethaby Scholar
Alan is a chartered building surveyor in private practice, accredited in conservation, who has been involved in providing consultancy advice, specification writing and contract administration on a number of Roman cement repair and redecoration projects. His involvement in the Traditional Paint Forum and Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings’ Technical Panel has informed his consideration of Roman cement repairs and their interaction with surface finishes.
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