How were the Roman's able to make arches and domes?
They created a mold for the clay and it hardened in the sun.
They carved it out of marble.
They created the revolutionary building material, concrete.
The correct answer is that the Romans were able to make arches and domes by creating the revolutionary building material known as concrete.
Concrete is a mixture of sand, water, and cement, which is made from a combination of volcanic ash and lime. The Romans discovered that by using concrete, they could create structures that were both strong and durable.
To construct an arch or a dome, the Romans would first build a wooden framework called a formwork. This framework would be shaped in the desired arch or dome shape. Then, the concrete mixture would be poured into the formwork, filling up the spaces between the wooden supports.
As the concrete dried and hardened, it would take the shape of the formwork, resulting in a solid and stable arch or dome structure. The wooden formwork would then be removed, leaving behind the self-supporting arch or dome made of concrete.
The use of concrete revolutionized architecture, allowing the Romans to construct large and impressive structures like the Colosseum and the Pantheon. The strength and versatility of concrete made it possible for the Romans to create arches and domes that are still standing to this day.