Ceramics-Silikáty 52 (4) 296-298 (2008)

Geopolymer concrete - an ancient material too?

F. Škvára , P. Svoboda , J. Doležal , Z. Bittnar , V. Šmilauer , L. Kopecký , R. Šulc

The present paper surveys data pointing to the possibility of the "concrete" technology being used during the erection of Egyptian pyramids (a hypothesis submitted by Davidovits). On the one hand, some published data corroborate this hypothesis but, on the other hand, there are other data that deny it strictly. A shortage of relevant data available from a sufficient number of specimens taken in pyramids and other buildings represents a fundamental drawback when the supposed use of the "concrete-based" forming technology (geopolymers, lime-based binders) is being assessed. Czech Egyptologists who have been excavating in Egypt for decades have not been able to discover any sign that would point to the use of the "concrete" technology during the erection of ancient Egyptian buildings (for instance, formwork marks). Nevertheless, ancient building materials - if they were indeed produced by human beings - would represent a promising body possessing a long-term stability suitable for the immobilization of toxic compounds.

Keywords: Geopolymers, Concrete, Pyramid