Connectivity and change in the waterproofing technology of ancient sicily: evidence from Selinunte and Agrigento

A new study reveals that the development and transmission of advanced waterproofing technologies in ancient Sicily were driven by increasing connectivity between Greek, Punic, and Roman communities. Analyzing 22 mortar specimens from Selinunte and Agrigento—dating from the mid-6th century BCE to the 1st century CE—the research established a preliminary chronology of waterproof lining technology, demonstrating how socio-technological exchanges facilitated innovation in hydraulic systems. The study employed microscopic, digital imaging, elemental analysis, and novel µX-Ray Fluorescence Microscopy (µXFM) techniques to contextualize technological change within Sicily's complex history, highlighting the role of interconnectedness in shaping ancient Mediterranean engineering.

McLennan, R., & Keenan-Jones, D. (2026). Connectivity and change in the waterproofing technology of ancient sicily: evidence from Selinunte and Agrigento. Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-025-02364-7