Ancient Architects | Mystery Solved! Sacsayhuaman: Geopolymer Concrete or Natural Rocks? đ§ @AncientArchitects | Uploaded February 2023 | Updated October 2024, 5 hours ago.
Sacsayhuaman, near Cusco Peru, is an incredible structure made up of huge blocks of perfectly cut and fitted stones.
Geologists were on site in 2012 to take samples and do analysis. The rock type used is a fine limestone and by comparing samples to natural rock outcrops, it is very likely the wall blocks were quarried directly on site, not brought in from miles away.
But some have speculated that these blocks are artificial, moulded from a geopolymer lime-based mixture and left to set. But under a microscope, we know this cannot be the case. We find small, naturally-occurring calcite veins criss-crossing the rocks.
These types of microstructures do not form in man-made concrete. Itâs not the same process as lime-leeching or efflorescence. This clears up the mystery. These rocks are natural, quarried from local outcrops.
Learn more on the Ancient Architects YouTube channel.
#sacsayhuaman #ancientarchitects #archaeology
Sacsayhuaman, near Cusco Peru, is an incredible structure made up of huge blocks of perfectly cut and fitted stones.
Geologists were on site in 2012 to take samples and do analysis. The rock type used is a fine limestone and by comparing samples to natural rock outcrops, it is very likely the wall blocks were quarried directly on site, not brought in from miles away.
But some have speculated that these blocks are artificial, moulded from a geopolymer lime-based mixture and left to set. But under a microscope, we know this cannot be the case. We find small, naturally-occurring calcite veins criss-crossing the rocks.
These types of microstructures do not form in man-made concrete. Itâs not the same process as lime-leeching or efflorescence. This clears up the mystery. These rocks are natural, quarried from local outcrops.
Learn more on the Ancient Architects YouTube channel.
#sacsayhuaman #ancientarchitects #archaeology
