As anyone who's ever visited Italy knows, the ancient Romans were master engineers. Their roads, aqueducts, and temples are still holding up remarkably well despite coming under siege over the centuries by waves of sacking marauders, mobs of tourists, and the occasional earthquake. But it seems the Romans also knew a thing or two about making concrete. While world's 1960s concrete tower blocks and flyovers are crumbling, Roman monuments such as the Pantheon and the Coliseum are still standing. Now scientists have discovered the secret ingredient behind the longevity of Roman concrete - volcanic ash. The study by the University of California, in Berkeley, found Roman concrete showed no corrosion, with a smooth surface suggesting long-term stability. Manufacturing modern cement requires heating a mix of limestone and clay at 1,450C. But Roman architectural mortar uses 85 per cent volcanic ash, fresh water and lime, which is cast at a much lower temperature, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. Now the researchers want to take the Roman techniques and apply them to modern cements. Dr Marie Jackson said: 'If we can find ways to incorporate a substantial component of volcanic rock in the production of specialty concretes, we could greatly reduce the carbon emissions associated with their production. We could also improve their durability and mechanical resistance over time.'

Archaeologists unveiled a restored colossal statue of Amenhotep III that was toppled in an earthquake 3200 years ago at Egypt's famed temple city of Luxor. The statue showing him in a striding attitude was re-erected on the northern gate of the king's funerary temple on the west bank of the Nile. The temple is already famous for its existing 3400-year-old Memnon colossi -twin statues of Amenhotep III whose reign archaeologists say marked the political and cultural zenith of ancient Egyptian civilization. The 12.9-meter statue stands west of an existing effigy of the king, also depicting him walking, which was unveiled in March. The restored statue consists of 89 large pieces and numerous small fragments and reassembled since November, the monolith weighs 110 tons. The statue shows the king wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt, and each hand holding a papyrus roll inscribed with his name. His belt, holding a dagger with a falcon-head handle, is fastened with a rectangular clasp bearing the names of the king. Sources: www.theguardian.com; www.abc.net.au; www.globalpost.com

A mini castle has gone on sale but the price tag is not as steep as might be expected. Set in the picturesque village of Upper Arley in Worcestershire, the two-bed semi-detached property even comes complete with its own turret. And the cost to get your hands on your own piece of history? Arley Tower is on the market for just US$ 420 thousand. Admittedly, it is a little small for the average sized family - but it's unlikely that you'll ever find a castle in this price range again. As well as it's own turret, the Grade II listed building boasts an octagonal staircase and roof terrace with sweeping views over the River Severn. It was built in a Gothic Revival style in the 1800s by Lord Mountnorris, owner of the Arley Estate. On the ground floor, you'll find two bedrooms with French doors leading from the master bedroom into the rear courtyard. Currently being sold by up market estate agents Knight Frank, the first floor has a vaulted living room and balcony. Inside, the house is surprisingly light and spacious, with modern decor and a large kitchen that looks out onto the back garden.

Hundreds of people packed a small outdoor ceremony at Fresno State to mark the start of construction of the Armenian Genocide Monument, which will be completed in time to mark next year's 100th anniversary of the genocide. Leaders of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee, Fresno joined local politicians, Fresno State leaders and throngs of community members at the event. The university set out 40 chairs, but a couple hundred spectators crammed around the site where the monument will be built. The primary message of the event was the importance of spreading awareness of the Armenian Genocide, which Fresno State Armenian Studies Coordinator Barlow Der Mugrdechian said killed as many as 1.5 million Armenians from 1915 to 1923. Der Mugrdechian said that on April 24, 1915, the Ottoman Turkish government began arresting and executing hundreds of Armenian religious, academic and political leaders. The stone-and-concrete monument will be dedicated on April 24, the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the genocide. It was designed by local architect Paul Halajian and will consist of nine pillars representing the six provinces of historic Armenia, Cilicia, the Diaspora and the Republic of Armenia. An incomplete halo will rest on top of the pillars, which is meant to symbolize both the damage left by the genocide and the unity of the Armenian people. It will be the first such monument marking the genocide on a U.S. college campus. It will be located on the Maple Mall walkway just south of the Satellite Student Union on Fresno State's campus. Fresno State Vice President for Administration Cynthia Teniente-Matson said this prime location will allow every single Fresno State student to see and learn from the monument.

The oldest pyramid in Egypt, the Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, is being destroyed by the very company the Egyptian government has hired to restore it. The roughly 4.600-year-old structure has been in trouble since an earthquake hit the region in 1992, but in a difficult political and economic climate for the country, those now tasked with preserving the pyramid are doing more harm than good. Egyptian activists claim the company, Shurbagy, doesn't even have the necessary experience to be undertaking the work in the first place, and they have launched a campaign against the Minister of Antiquities, Mamdouh al-Damaty, claiming a "full-fledged crime" has been committed. The crime in question is the breach of building regulations related to the restoration of ancient structures. Amir Gamal, a representative of the 'Non-stop Robberies' movement, states: "Technically, the company and officials of the Supreme Council of Antiquities committed a full-fledged crime. New walls were built outside the pyramid as if the pyramid were a modern construction, which is opposite to international standards of restoration, which prevents adding more than 5 percent of construction to antiquities if necessary." Furthermore, the additions are putting pressure on the structure, putting it at risk of collapse. The limestone step pyramid was originally 62 meters high. Inside is a network of corridors, as well as a granite and marble burial chamber. When the earthquake struck in 1992, large quantities of stone rained down into the center of the pyramid, creating a void at the top and the pyramid was in danger of total collapse. At that time, archaeologist Peter James's company installed an internally supported PVC balloon-like structure, which was inflated and filled with water to support the pyramid from within. In time it was hoped that the stone would be reinforced with steel rods to restore the building to its previous profile. But funding ran out, then political instability set in. In October 2012, the Ministry of Antiquities announced work had stopped on the site because they were unable to pay contractors. Work has since resumed under the responsibility of Shurbagy, but the company has already been responsible for the "major deterioration and collapse" of a whole section of the pyramid. The company has also not completed any one of the six previous construction contracts they have committed to in the last nine years. Adds Gamal, "The company has never restored any archaeological site. All projects it had were to create modern construction at archaeological sites." The pyramid and the Saqqara complex were designed by the engineer-architect Imhotep, and are beleived to be the world's oldest cut stone monuments. With the stepped Pyramid of Djoser marking the turning point from flat-roofed construction to the age of the pyramids in Egypt, it is a tragedy that such an important archaeological legacy could be destroyed by incompetence and lack of adequate funding.