Edit- After reading most of the comments the general consensus is listed below:
1. The unique composite matrix of the concrete used gives it a self-healing property. When cracks form in the concrete, it will naturally seal them.
2. The Pantheon was a very significant structure which led to meticulous maintenance and restorations
3. The Romans didn’t have modern engineering. So they didn’t know exactly how strong they’d have to build the Pantheon to make it last. Their solution was to overbuild the hell out of it.
4. Survivorship bias. There were thousands of buildings constructed by the Romans but very few remain which are the ones we marvel at.
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In: 564
Every house within 3 miles of me is over 140 years old.
I live in Salford, Manchester UK.
Reasonably well built bricks and mortar lasts well with maintenance.
Mostly it’s about good roofs.
Pantheon is a concrete dome, pretty damn amazing from the outset, but it has been maintained and repaired, plus its got a great roof.
Wooden houses, poorly maintained, dont last long.
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