THE MANUFACTURE of LIME and ITS USES IN the WESTERN ROMAN PROVINCES

Summary: The widespread use of hydraulic lime mortars and concretes was chiefly a Roman development, but, in addition, lime produced by burning calcium carbonate at temperatures between 900°-1100° C was used in agriculture, tanning and medicine. Cato has described the construction and operation of a periodic lime-kiln and with the evidence from excavated sites the original process can be reconstructed. For most farming purposes, however, lime was produced in less substantial pits and in above-ground stacks or clamps.