Just learned...

Add ASH (fire wood, valcanic...) to your mortor/bricks for more strength. ("Life after People" on H2).
Roman Coliseum will (per show) last 1000 year after humans because the mortor used was volcanic ash, thus making it so dense that water, plants, & bugs couldn't get into the mortor.
Don't shot the messager.

I read that Romans also used urine for teeth whitening and used older urine as bleach on their clothes.

OK, I'll pass on that...

JSG wrote: I read that Romans also used urine for teeth whitening and used older urine as bleach on their clothes.

Somehow I get the feeling that DH will stick with his Colgate . . .

If more people built with masonry in general, we would have buildings that actually lasted...instead of the junk we build with now.

Yes, Ash does help, but only in certain proportions. Up to approx 35%. Volcanic is vastly superior to pine tree ash from your fireplace though!!

Thank You, RCJ!