Saw a Roman road dig and it changed how I look at modern highways

I went to a site in Chester last summer where they uncovered a section of Roman road about 30 feet long. The way they layered gravel, sand, and stone slabs was so solid it still had drainage channels cut into the sides. Modern roads around there already have potholes after 10 years, but that thing lasted centuries. Makes you wonder what we're doing wrong with our current methods. Anyone else seen an old construction technique that put modern stuff to shame?

2 comments

2 Comments

jason_kelly815d ago

That 30 foot section probably got the VIP treatment since it was a major military road. You really think every Roman back alley held up that well? I've seen plenty of Roman ruins that are basically just piles of broken rock now. Plus they had slaves doing the labor and didn't have to worry about 18 wheelers rolling over it every day. Sure the drainage channels are cool and all, but we're talking apples and oranges comparing a military path to a modern interstate.

harper_smith15d ago

The Appian Way sections still used daily prove Roman roads could handle heavy traffic just fine.