Opus reticulatum
Opus reticulatum is a form of masonry in the Roman Empire .
The term masonry is not very precise: it is rather a wall facing . At least since 273 BC BC (cf. Lamprecht p. 38) the Romans built walls, vaults and domes made of concrete ( opus caementitium ). This was poured between previously erected wall shells.
The appearance and construction of these wall shells have been adapted to changing tastes over the centuries. Irregular stone masonry ( opus incertum ) occurred as well as bowls made of bricks ( opus testaceum ) or mixed forms ( opus mixtum ).
Since approx. 80 BC In BC the opus reticulatum became more and more popular (in research it is disputed whether it should be placed chronologically after the opus incertum ). Natural stones - often made of tuff - were worked in a pyramid shape. The tip of the pyramid was pressed into the damp plaster so that the square base (side length usually 6–7 cm) pointed outwards. The stones were arranged in such a way that one corner was pointing downwards and thus the overall picture of a net emerged (lat. Rete = the net).
literature
- Heinz O. Lamprecht: Opus caementitium. Construction technology of the Romans. Bau und Technik, 5th edition 2001, ISBN 3-7640-0350-2
